M11 police pulling over horseboxes

ROG said:
According to a very reliable source.

Exceeding the towing capacity of a vehicle could leave the driver open to prosecution under the following:-

Regulation 100 C&U regs 1986

Road traffic act section 40, 41 or 42 with possible penalty points

If overload more than 30% then may consider vehicle/combination being in dangerous condition

===============================================
There is also the laws on exceeding plated weights such as vehicle GVW trailer MAM and the GTW if one is listed
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Spot on Rog - and this HAS been applied quite rigorously last summer - particularly with those driving vans/caravans who go motorcycle racing.
Lot of horror stories emerged on FB v quickly when the IOM TT races were on as there was a field day with weights at the docks (captive audiences!).
Has also been checked on after people leave trackdays (Cadwell & Donington were hit a couple of times each last year.
Have had 2 friends whose vehicles were only slightly over on the way back from Snetterton in July - and they both were given the choice of unloading bikes & getting someone else to collect them, just so they were within the tolerances.......
Good authority says that this wil be rolled out further in the agricultural & equine sides this summer....
 
TFF, next time you're at Snetty give me a tinkle and I'll come and see you, I'm a local gal :D

I actually hope they do roll it out. As someone who plays by the rules it's incredibly galling to see people towing two big horses in a 510 with a Freelander. Makes me really cross that I have to pay loads of money for diesel to drag mine around with the Terracan whilst they flout the rules!! I think there should be a plating for trailers too. Some of the ones I see look like total death traps. Mine is in for a service next week and plenty of people have looked at me like I'm bonkers for bothering! :rolleyes: Even though I've said I've got play in one wheel which can only be a bearing or a rod end (I think) and therefore definitely needs looking at. Sigh. Do people really not realise how easily accidents happen when transporting horses. I know you can't prevent all of them but you can at least try!

Sorry, nothing to do with the original post, just me on my soap box :o
 
HHnewsdesk said:
Sorry all if you misunderstood what I posted.
My issue is not with the spotchecks — which were done safely in the special area at Junc7 — but with the wrong info given to a lady who contacted me.
She was told she needed a certificate of competence when she does not as she is a private driver.
I was just trying to find out whether anyone else was stopped in the same activity.
And yes I am writing a story — the clue's in the name!
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Am hoping when the story comes out that both sides are given a voice to comment on the incorrect information that has alledgedly been given out at the stop etc?ie what information did she provide at the time of the check?
My OH often gets people asking if this and that is right if they have been stopped and it turns out there is more to it? I mean how many people are mini horse dealers (I met many) and yet claim to be private sellers???? Private driver/business driver etc..I use my private car for work to go between hospitals and have to have insurance a few ££ xtra that I do use my car for business purposes. However it really is a private family car too!!
Just hope both sides are explored thats all!
Reading some of the posts though it does seem a bit confusing!!
 
I have no problem with being stopped my lorry is not a new one but is used on a regular basis and I am very up on its upkeep.
I do think people stopping horse vehicles of any kind should be aware that lots of horses are ok when vehicle is moving but stopped for a long time could cause problems for some animals.
I also think anyone stopping equine vehicles should have some understanding of the animals they are dealing with, I think they can mistake a worried horse owner with somebody who is being stroppy.

I have to say while watching a tv programme where a horsebox was stopped going in to a horse fair there was a lorry that was in need of repair they advised them to do so.
They stopped another lorry the driver had 50 passports in a carrier bag they did not take these he said he was delivering the horses to a dealer. none of the passports were for the horses he had on his lorry they actually let the horses in to the fair as he assured the horses were not going to be sold.
I am not surprised law abiding horse owners are a little miffed at being hauled in on a motorway it is a bit of a joke.
 
Trinity Fox said:
I have no problem with being stopped my lorry is not a new one but is used on a regular basis and I am very up on its upkeep.
I do think people stopping horse vehicles of any kind should be aware that lots of horses are ok when vehicle is moving but stopped for a long time could cause problems for some animals.
I also think anyone stopping equine vehicles should have some understanding of the animals they are dealing with, I think they can mistake a worried horse owner with somebody who is being stroppy.

I have to say while watching a tv programme where a horsebox was stopped going in to a horse fair there was a lorry that was in need of repair they advised them to do so.
They stopped another lorry the driver had 50 passports in a carrier bag they did not take these he said he was delivering the horses to a dealer. none of the passports were for the horses he had on his lorry they actually let the horses in to the fair as he assured the horses were not going to be sold.
I am not surprised law abiding horse owners are a little miffed at being hauled in on a motorway it is a bit of a joke.
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Knowledge is power !!! understanding the law as it applys to what you are doing and also taking an interest in your vehicle goes a long way if later you find yorself in one of these situations , on your other point not sure what you can do about the non law abiding non settled folk that do as they likey , alot of the time its not worth the hassle for your average VOSA officers , a lone lorry driver with a bulb out or 3 rough blokes in a lorry flouting every rule , which would you rather deal with, amagine the hassle of giving the latter a PG9???? remember laws only apply to the law abiding ....
 
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