Truckwatch supports Constabulary on A14

The four-wheel drive vehicle which forms part of the roads policing fleet on the A14 will now be carrying equipment which will allow officers to immediately identify driver’s hour’s offences recorded by their tachographs.

The mobile tachograph analysis equipment, generously donated by Eastern Region Truckwatch, will be used in the Land Rover which regularly patrols the A14 to keep the road flowing freely.

The equipment is able to immediately analyse the records on the roadside and provides the evidence required by the Constabulary.

Robin Smith and Chrys Rampley from the Road Haulage Association presented a cheque for £2,000 to the Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore at the recent Suffolk Business Liaison meeting.

Tim Passmore, Police and Crime Commissioner said:  “I would like to express my thanks to the Road Haulage Association and the Eastern Region Truckwatch for their continued support.

“The A14 is a major artery of national and international significance. It is the main link to Felixstowe Docks, the largest container port in the country and plays a hugely important role in the economic success in the county.

“Being able to provide a quicker response to driver’s hours offences will help the Constabulary to keep the road safer both for hauliers and the public.”

Robin Smith, a member of the Road Haulage Association and Eastern Region Truck Watch said “I am delighted that we have been able to support the police by providing this equipment.

“It is hoped that this equipment will enable the police to maintain and monitor compliance of HGV operators to ensure safe operation on our roads. The information is instantaneous and it will also enable the police to check foreign registered vehicles to ensure that they are complaint and the industry as a whole is competing on a level playing field.”

Ch. Insp. Chris Spinks, head of Roads Policing in the county, said: “We are grateful for the support that provided by Truckwatch this equipment will enhance our capability to deal with these offences which can often be complicated to detect without specialist equipment.”

Caption:  Chrys Rampley and Robin Smith present the cheque to Tim Passmore