Shocking Number of Safety Violations Revealed in Devon and Cornwall Passenger Vehicles

In a striking revelation from Devon and Cornwall, a road safety operation targeting passenger vehicles has exposed a disturbing number of safety breaches.

This operation, named Op Coachman, is part of a collaborative effort led by the region’s Road Casualty Reduction team, featuring contributions from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVLA) and the Force’s Commercial Vehicle Unit (CVU).

Operation Details and Findings

The operation took place last week at the Moto Services in Exeter, where officers conducted thorough inspections on 27 passenger vehicles, which included a mix of coaches, minibuses, and private vehicles. The scrutiny led to the discovery of 20 different offences, raising serious concerns about vehicle and driver compliance with safety standards.

As a result of the operation, officers issued:

• 5 x fixed penalties for offences around driver’s hours
• 1 x minibus was prohibited for a dangerous fuel leak
• 6 x delayed prohibitions for engine faults and tacho offences
• 2 x reports for tachograph offences
• 2 x warnings for seatbelt misuse
• 1 x prohibition notice for no tachograph, index plates or ring guards.
• 1 x report for no insurance
• 1 x report for two bald tyres
• 1 x warning for tinted window offences

Among the breaches identified were five fixed penalties related to violations of driver’s hours and six delayed prohibitions due to engine faults and tachograph (tacho) offences. More alarming findings included a minibus that was prohibited from use due to a dangerous fuel leak and another vehicle cited for lacking insurance.

Enforcement and Compliance

Simon, the Chief Inspector of the Alliance Roads Policing team, emphasized the importance of compliance for road safety, especially for large passenger vehicles. He stated that such operations are crucial for ensuring these vehicles do not pose a threat to public safety and informed that similar checks will be ongoing throughout the year.

Natalie, partnership manager for the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership, reinforced the critical role of vehicle and driver conditions in preventing road accidents. She voiced strong support for the operation, highlighting its significance in the broader context of road safety in Devon and Cornwall.

Call to Action for Vehicle Operators

Operators of passenger vehicles are strongly urged to ensure their vehicles are compliant with the law and maintained in a roadworthy condition. The consequences of neglect can be severe, impacting not just the drivers and passengers but all road users.

For more information on compliance and the laws around driver hours for buses, coaches, and minibuses, visit the official government website here.

This ongoing vigilance by Devon and Cornwall Police reflects a committed effort to enhance road safety and reduce casualties on their roads.