Large Goods Vehicles

Dumfries and Galloway has a large volume of LGV’s on the roads. Whether it be timber, livestock or the large quantity of goods travelling along the A75 corridor bound for the ports in Stranraer and Cairnryan, LGV’s are a common sight on our rural roads.

To ensure the safety on the roads, haulage operators and drivers of LGV’s must abide by an ever increasing list of legislation. It is one of the roles of the Roads Policing Unit to ensure that these laws are adhered to.

We do this by carrying out a combination of routine patrols and multi agency road checks in partnership with external organisations such as the Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA), HM Custom and Excise, and the DVLA.

LGV’s are checked for not only road worthiness but a number of other areas. We check that they are running on the correct type of fuel, not overweight, have a secure load and that vehicle and driver have the appropriate licence.

The drivers are also checked for compliance with the Drivers Hours regulations. These impose a number of requirements which reduce driver fatigue. They limit how long a driver is allowed to drive and specify minimum daily and weekly rest periods.

A driver or company who flaunts any one of the above can face being issued a Prohibition Notice. This can stop them from working from a few hours up to a couple of days and breaching the notice results in large fines and even imprisonment.

If you think that this does not apply to you because you don’t drive an LGV think again. Drivers of any type of vehicle, driven as part of their employment, and anyone who drives any vehicle for the purpose of a trade or business must not drive for more than ten hours in a day. So if you use a vehicle as part of your job, make sure you are not breaking the law.

Overloading vehicles

Overloading and poorly loading your vehicle can land you in trouble. It not only increases the wear and tear on its mechanical parts, it increases damage to the roads and has a detrimental effect on vehicles handling due to increased stress on its braking, steering and suspension. All of which greatly increase the risk of you losing control of your vehicle and being involved in a collision.

The majority of vehicles found to be overweight are light goods vehicles such as small “Transit” style vans, however motor cars are not blameless. You will find a manufacturers plate on most vehicles on the door pillar or engine compartment, check what you are permitted to carry, it will probably be a lot less than you think. Just because you can fit it in the back doesn’t mean that the vehicle can carry it! Again if your vehicle is found to be overweight, irrespective of what type of vehicle it is, you may face being prohibited from going any further. Think is it worth it for the sake of a second trip?

Whether you are a professional driver by nature of your occupation, or simply use the road to carry out your daily business, we are all exposed to the natural dangers that travelling can bring. Therefore we all have a duty to ensure the safety of ourselves and others when out on the road.