Police launch Operation Fatigue

Police are launching a new operation aimed at tackling traffic offences from rogue commercial drivers.

From Friday the 24th of March through to Sunday the 8th of April, officers from Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Strategic Alliance Roads Policing Unit will be undertaking proactive action as part of Operation Fatigue.

Op Fatigue will involve the stopping and checking of goods vehicles to ensure that they are roadworthy, and that load security, standards of driving, and the driver’s hour’s enforcement don’t fall foul to any related traffic offences. This operation will target both national and foreign-based vehicles.

Co-ordinator of the operation Motor Patrol Constable Richie Room, said: "There are many operators who obey the laws and maintain their vehicles to a good standard. However, this specific operation will send a clear message to rogue operators, that we are out there and that we will take positive action where necessary.

“Commercial drivers can now be issued with substantial roadside fines, which in the case of foreign-based drivers will need to be paid on the road side before they are allowed to continue.”

Whilst being a forcewide operation, Fatigue will be focusing on the main A30, A38, A303 and M5 areas and police will be using a mixture of overt and covert vehicles.

MPC Roome, added: “We will undertake a static check during the operation, but the majority of the work undertaken by the unit will be on the roads, searching for and dealing with moving offences. Our vehicles are fitted with Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) equipment so will be able to run checks on the move.

“Some offences can also lead to the immediate prohibition of that driver from driving any further, which in more serious circumstances can be up to forty five hours”.

Devon and Cornwall Police will be tweeting notable results throughout the operation. Follow @DC_Police and @DC_PoliceRoads for the latest, where we will be using the hashtag #OpFatigue