Police Scotland officers ‘disappointed’ at lorry and agricultural vehicles flouting rules after Highland crackdown

"Disappointed" police have hit out at a minority of commercial and agricultural vehicle motorists who flout drivers' hours rules and loading limits.

The officers were speaking after a months-long crackdown on heavy goods vehicles on trunk roads across the north - including the A9, A96 and A82.

These "focussed" patrols were aimed specifically at engaging with the drivers and operators of commercial and agricultural vehicles to ensure safe practices and legislation are being adhered to.

Additionally, alongside colleagues in the DVSA, a number of days of joint working took place on the A9, A82 and A96 including the Lochaber and Caithness areas, where a number of ‘heavy’ and commercial vehicles have been stopped and checked. Issues identified included those in respect of load security, drivers’ hours, construction and use, and document offences.

Amongst these, a driver was reported to the Procurator Fiscal for what the police said were "several drivers’ hours related offences whereby it was found they had removed their drivers card several times and failed to record driving hours well in excess of what is permitted". That vehicle was impounded by DVSA officers, having been detected previously.

Another driver was charged having failed to secure an excavator to a trailer, and another for failing to appropriately secure a load of bales to the trailer.

Road Policing Sergeant Chris Donaldson said: “Whilst it’s encouraging to see a lot of compliance, it’s also disappointing to see that a minority of drivers and operators are falling short of these expectations, and I would encourage them to ensure that standards are being met.

“As the volume of traffic increases into the summer months, the focus on commercial vehicles will continue and helps forms part of our activity to reduce fatal and serious injury being sustained on our roads.”