COURIER drivers are being urged to check the road-worthiness of their vehicles after a van with a cracked windscreen, a defective tyre and no wing mirror was recently stopped on the A55 by officers.

The message is being issued by the North Wales Police Commercial Vehicle Unit following a recent increase in the number of vehicles being stopped by officers.

Shortly after 6pm on Wednesday, January 31, a 2016 registered Peugeot van was stopped on the A55 near Llanfairfechan where it was discovered to have 11 defects.

These included a cracked windscreen, a defective tyre, two under-inflated tyres and defective lights.

The courier, who was in his 60’s and from the Manchester area, had also been on the road since 5am therefore he was likely to be in breach of his domestic driving hours.

He was issued with several Traffic Offence Reports (TOR’s) which could lead to fines of up to £500 and points on his licence. The van was immediately prohibited and the driver arranged his own recovery.

PC Nick Power, of the Commercial Vehicle Unit at North Wales Police said: “Over recent months we’ve have noticed an increase in the number of courier vehicles being stopped that are found to be in very poor condition. Some of these drivers are also driving at speed which is of concern – especially if there are severe defects. This just shows that some are prepared to put themselves and other road users at risk.

“It only takes five minutes to check on important things such as lights, tyres, corroded bodywork, windscreen washer and wipers.

“Any defect is the responsibility of the owner or the driver of the vehicle. Failing to carry out these basic checks could results in the driver being prosecuted and the vehicle being prohibited. Please heed the warning.”