Sleepy Lorry Drivers Targeted By Police

Police in Essex are increasing checks on lorries following concerns over crashes involving drivers who are tired.

It comes as figures show nearly half of crashes on the Essex stretch of the M25 over the past three years involved drivers who had worked over their hours or had been drinking during ferry crossings or night stops.

As a result police will carry out more checks on drivers and lorries.

Last week 71 lorries were pulled over and checked in Thurrock.

10 mechanical faults were found, some drivers had been behind the wheel for a total of 280 hours on top of what is acceptable and £4,220 was collected in penalty notices.

Two vehicles were even clamped to ensure drivers got enough rest.

Essex Police Casualty Reduction Manager, Adam Pipe said: "Forty-six per cent of fatal and serious injury collisions on our stretch of the M25 are due to tiredness or alcohol.

"These crashes have involved heavy good vehicles or vans going out of control and running into other vehicles, road signs or crash barriers on either side of the carriageway.

"We will be carrying out night operations on a regular basis to reduce the number of drivers who are breaking the law by drink-driving and tampering with their tachographs to work much longer hours than they should be doing.”