Hundreds caught in lorry campaign

Operation Juggernaut carried out spot-checks on HGVs

Almost half of the lorry drivers stopped during a safety campaign in Dumfries and Galloway were found to be committing road traffic offences.

Vehicle defects, overloading and tachograph infringements were discovered during the 12-month period.

The Operation Juggernaut initiative targeted heavy goods vehicles using the A75 between Gretna and Stranraer.

It was launched in response to public concerns about speeding and potentially dangerous manoeuvres on the road.

During the year-long campaign 1,151 HGVs were stopped and put through a programme of roadside checks.

Police working with officials from the Vehicle and Operator Services Industry found offences relating to 571 vehicles.

Accidents reduced

These included vehicle defects and breaches of weight restrictions as well as drivers failing to comply with laws governing working times.

In total, almost 1,300 offences were reported to the procurator fiscal.

Police said one of the key aims of the campaign was to address an increase in crashes on the route.

During the initiative accident levels fell by a third compared with previous figures.

"Over 1,200 offences were reported proving beyond doubt that the concerns raised by members of the public and police officers were well founded," said Sgt William McEwan of the Stranraer mobile support group.