Vehicles condition found deteriorated

Police during an intensive drive found that the condition of heavy vehicles plying on the roads has deteriorated compared to the previous year.

The 24-hour intensive monitoring of heavy traffic that ended on Thursday detected 136 driving and rest time and 28 tachograph violations, said a police press release on Friday.

In addition, five cases of tachograph manipulation were revealed during the drive.

The journey of six vehicles was completely interrupted due to the poor condition of the vehicle and a total of 80 penalties were issued for such offences.

The law enforcing agency members inspected 61 buses, of which sanctions were issued for 10.

Penalties were also issued for various issues such as faulty securing of loads (25), and offences related to the driver’s and the vehicle’s paperwork (18).

A total of six stopped drivers were wanted by the police.

“Compared to the intensive monitoring operation conducted at the same time in 2017, there was a turn for the worse with regard to the condition of vehicles in particular: 44 offences last year, but 66 this time,” said Chief Superintendent of the National Police Board Kari Onninen.

Driving and rest time violations remained at almost the same level, but the situation still gives cause for concern in this respect as well.

With regard to freight transport, the monitoring had a particular focus on compliance with driving and rest times, the securing of loads and the condition of vehicles, as well as operating licences, professional qualifications and the use of safety equipment on buses and coaches.

In all, 1,035 heavy vehicles, 800 of which were of domestic and 174 of foreign origin, and 61buses, were inspected during the operation.

A total of 286 penalties and 131 formal notices were issued to the drivers.