TRAFFIC officers stopped a flatbed van carrying scaffold materials which was found to be nearly 2.5 tonnes overweight in east Dorset

Whilst on patrol on Wednesday, October 12, the traffic officers stopped the van after noticing it had inadequate load security. 

Tests showed the flatbed van was 2,306kg overweight, rendering the vehicle unsuitable for road use. 

On the same day in east Dorset, a white tipper van carrying concrete with no load security was found to be 410kg overweight as well as being used without valid MOT – with a damaged shaft making cops believe the van would likely fail. 

Bournemouth Echo: Dorset Traffic Cops: Flatbed van overweightDorset Traffic Cops: Flatbed van overweight (Image: Dorset Traffic Cops)

Another tipper with a driver failing to wear their seat belt as well as having completely inadequate load security and a defective tyre was also discovered. 

Officers also found an HGV where the driver had failed to insert their tachograph or produce records for their driving times. All offences were reported. 

A spokesperson for Dorset Traffic Cops said: “All of these offences have the potential to have life limiting or life ending consequences - drivers falling asleep at the wheel, vehicles being unable to slow or stop or loads coming loose during turns. 

“If you are using or loading a similar vehicle, think of your safety and that of other road users.”