Driver found carrying radioactive substances without proper safety equipment in Hartlepool spot checks
Almost half of vehicles stopped by police during spot checks in Hartlepool were found to have potentially dangerous defects.
A number of cars and vans were pulled over by officers in town on Tuesday, January 6, as part of an operation carrying out winter checks.
Officers pulled over 30 vehicles randomly at a checkpoint at Queen’s Meadow Business Park, where the vehicles were examined to ensure that they were road worthy and safe.
Of the vehicles stopped, 14 were found to have some defect, with most of these being defective tyres or lights which led to a number of prohibition notices being issued.
Some drivers had no insurance and were reported for summons.
But one driver was discovered to be transporting radioactive substances without the required safety equipment on board.
He was prevented from continuing his journey until he had the safety equipment.
PC Aneurin Guy, who was part of the operation, said: “These checks were carried out to ensure that vehicles travelling on our roads across Cleveland are road worthy and safe, and to reduce the number of collisions.
“The operation allowed us to advise and educate drivers on the importance of keeping vehicles fit for the road for safety.”
The exercise was in partnership with the DVSA (Driving Standards Agency) and Cleveland Fire Brigade.
The fire brigade provided free screen wash to help keep vehicles safe and ready for driving during the wintry conditions.
According to road safety charity TyreSafe, more than six million illegal tyres are currently in use on UK roads.