A road safety operation on the M6 has revealed worrying levels of safety issues in commercial vehicles. 

On 4 February, our officers escorted 15 light goods vehicles into Corley Services to carry out safety and compliance checks. Of all the commercial vehicles and drivers stopped, a concerning 86% were found to have issues ranging from dangerous defects to offences requiring police intervention. 

During the checks: 

• Three vehicles received PG9 prohibition notices for being overloaded. Drivers were prevented from continuing their journeys until their weights were reduced to legal limits. 

• Three further vehicles were prohibited due to insecure loads or dangerous defects such as tyres with insufficient tread. 

• Eight TORs (Traffic Offence Reports) were issued to drivers for offences including four for no insurance – for which their vehicles were seized, illegal window tints which were removed at the scene, and obscured number plates.  

• One driver was driving while disqualified, with no insurance, licence or tax. 

During the operation, we also arrested one driver for immigration offences, and we identified a vulnerable adult in crisis on the motorway and were able to hand them over safely to ambulance crews. 

Officers also provided safety and legal compliance advice to four drivers. 

Inspector Wayne Boulton said “It is extremely concerning that so many light commercial vehicles were found to be in a dangerous condition whilst using highspeed roads. We are asking drivers to ensure both they and their vehicles are safe and legal before setting off on any journey.”