Essex Police stop van more than 40% over weight limit

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 11:28 · Archive

Essex Police stopped an overloaded Ford Transit van on Colchester Road in Chelmsford on 16 October, finding it more than 40% over its legal weight limit.

Essex Police stopped a long-wheelbase Ford Transit panel van on Colchester Road in Chelmsford on the evening of 16 October after officers noticed it appeared to be struggling on the busy road. The van was towing a trailer.

Officers used weight plates at the roadside to establish the vehicle's weight. They discovered the van was more than 40 per cent over its permitted weight and immediately prohibited it from moving. The vehicle could not continue its journey until enough of its load had been removed to bring it back within legal limits.

Police spent around two hours dealing with the vehicle and ensuring it could not continue in an unsafe condition.

Essex Police warned that overloaded vehicles pose serious safety risks. Excess weight affects braking, handling and stability, and places additional strain on tyres and suspension, making a vehicle more difficult to control.

Police reminded motorists that drivers are responsible for ensuring their vehicles are safe and legal before setting off. This includes checking that a vehicle does not exceed its permitted weight and that anything being carried or towed has been safely and securely loaded.

Essex Police stop van more than 40% over weight limit — Image: Echo (Basildon)

Comments (0)

How it is being reported

Police stop ‘struggling’ van on Essex road and make shocking discoveryEssex Police stopped an overloaded Transit van in Chelmsford on October 16, finding it more than 40% over its legal weight limit and unsafe to continue.Echo (Basildon) · 27 Oct, 10:53
Police stop ‘struggling’ van on Essex road and make shocking discoveryEssex Police stopped an overloaded Transit van in Chelmsford on October 16, finding it more than 40% over its legal weight limit and unsafe to continue.Colchester Gazette · 27 Oct, 10:53
Police stop ‘struggling’ van on Essex road and make shocking discoveryEssex Police stopped an overloaded Transit van in Chelmsford on October 16, finding it more than 40% over its legal weight limit and unsafe to continue.Brentwood Guardian · 27 Oct, 10:53

In this story: Essex Police · Chelmsford · Colchester Road

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem