24 April 2017
A routine road check conducted at the end of last week found 12 vehicles with faulty lights or tyre defects.
The Deputy Inspector of Motor Traffic expressed concern that drivers were not carrying out basic safety checks on their vehicles.
Officers from Driver and Vehicle Standards (DVS), the States of Jersey Police, and Grouville Honorary Police conducted a road check between 7am and 8.30am on Thursday 20 April 2017 at Long Beach Car Park.
A total of 339 vehicles passed through the check, 18 of the vehicles examined were found to have defects and the drivers were issued with defect notices requiring them to present their vehicles at DVS within seven days with the defects rectified.
The defect notices were for various defects, however 12 of the vehicles were found to have either broken light lenses or inoperative lights and stop lights. There were also a number of tyre defects found, including one tyre which was extremely under inflated.
One driver was given words of advice regarding the way in which his vehicle was loaded and the type of load securing straps being used.
The Deputy Inspector of Motor Traffic, Chris Le Maistre, commented that he was seriously concerned that drivers do not appear to be carrying out regular checks on their lights and brake lights. The Deputy Inspector stated “it is the responsibility of all drivers to ensure that their vehicles are in a road worthy condition”.
Mr Le Maistre also commented on the importance of making sure that tyres are inflated to the correct pressure and regularly checked. Not only is it a legal requirement, driving with defective, underinflated or worn tyres is a risk to other road users, the drivers themselves and any passengers they may be carrying.
The combined operation between Driver and Vehicle Standards, Honorary and States of Jersey Police together with Customs and Immigration will continue at various sites throughout all parishes over the coming months.
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