Fines for Goods Vehicle Overloading
The Public Protection Partnership (PPP) enforces and undertakes routine patrols with Thames Valley Police to check for overweight goods vehicles and where appropriate prosecutes driver and / or operators under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Case 1
On 11th September 2020, Police and a Public Protection Enforcement Officer were engaged in road traffic enforcement activities in the Beenham area of Berkshire. At 08:25 a.m. they observed a Mercedes Sprinter van travelling on the A4 Bath Road in Beenham. The vehicle appeared to them to be low on its rear springs and under some strain. The vehicle was directed to a weighbridge and found to be overweight by 900kg (25.7%)
At a hearing on 16th April 2021 at Reading Magistrates Court, the driver pleaded guilty and the Court fined him £246 and ordered him to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £34 Victim’s Surcharge. The vehicle operator had asked for more time and their case was adjourned to the 7th May 2021.
Case 2
On 27th August 2020, Police and a Public Protection Enforcement Officer were engaged in road traffic enforcement activities in the Bracknell area of Berkshire. At 08:13 a.m. they observed a Ford Transit van travelling on the B3480 London Road. The vehicle appeared to them to be low on its rear springs and under some strain, so the police officer caused the vehicle to stop. The vehicle was then directed to a weighbridge, weighed and found to be overladen by 1940kg (55.42%).
At a hearing on 16th April 2021 at Reading Magistrates Court, the driver pleaded guilty and the Court fined him £796 and ordered him to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £34 Victim’s Surcharge. The vehicle operator also pleaded guilty and was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £190 Victim’s Surcharge.
Case 3
On 27th August 2020, Police and a Public Protection Enforcement Officer were engaged in road traffic enforcement activities in the Bracknell area of Berkshire. At 10:07 a.m. they observed a Volkswagen Crafter van travelling along the A329 London Road. The police officer caused the vehicle to stop, and the vehicle was then directed to follow the police car to a weighbridge.
At the weighbridge, the Public Protection Enforcement Officer weighed the vehicle which was found to be exceeded by 1640kg (46.85%).
At a hearing on 16th April 2021 at Reading Magistrates Court, the driver pleaded guilty and the Court fined him £95 and ordered him to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £34 Victim’s Surcharge. The vehicle operator (sole trader/owner) was fined £572 and ordered to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £34 Victim’s Surcharge.
