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THAMES Valley Police is issuing an appeal to drivers and vehicle exporters following a series of roadside stops and convictions involving vehicles in transit.
Officers have intercepted numerous end-of-life vehicles being driven through the Hampshire and Thames Valley areas en route to export.
Many of these vehicles have been found to be in a dangerous condition, posing a serious risk to road users.
While certain exemptions apply to vehicles being exported, such as road tax and MOT requirements, drivers are reminded that all other road safety laws remain in force. Vehicles must be fully roadworthy and lawful to be driven on public roads.
Recent inspections have revealed a range of serious defects, including severely worn or damaged tyres, overloaded and insecure loads, faulty brakes and lighting systems, non-functional windscreen wipers, and chassis corrosion that compromises structural integrity.
Some vehicles were found to be in such poor condition that they should not have been driven at all.
Among those prosecuted in such incidents was Tracey Hosker, aged 35, of Nortonwood Lane, Runcorn, who appeared at Oxford Magistrates Court in May this year.
Hosker pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Hosker received a 22 months’ custodial sentence, suspended for 24 months and a driving ban for 4 years and will require an extended re-test to drive again, and received 10 days community service.
It came after, on January 11 last year, Hosker was driving a box van on the A34 southbound, near the Botley Interchange, that was heading to a port to be sent abroad when the van brakes failed, and it collided with two parked cars in a layby.
The two victims received serious injuries.
Police Sergeant, Paul Diamond of the Joint Operations Commercial Vehicle Unit, said: “Drivers and exporters must understand that exemptions do not mean immunity from road safety laws.
“The risks posed by these defective vehicles are significant, not just to the drivers themselves, but to everyone sharing the road.
“Thames Valley Police continues to work with partner agencies to identify and stop unsafe vehicles before they reach the port.
“Anyone with information about unsafe vehicle movements or concerns about road safety is encouraged to contact police via the non-emergency number 101 or report online.”
