A DELIVERY driver was stopped by cops for being a “danger” on the road after they filled their Ford Ka to the brim with Christmas parcels.
West Mercia Police stopped the driver and found dozens of parcels varying in size that completely filled the back seat, passenger seat and part of the front windscreen.
OPU WorcestershireCops pulled a delivery driver over after they filled their Ford Ka to the brim with Christmas presents[/caption]
OPU WorcestershireThe motorist was issued a ticket for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition[/caption]
Worcestershire Operational Policing Unit tweeted the incredible photos today, after finding the surprising haul.
Images of the car showed an unbelievable number of parcels squished one on top of the other in the small motor.
The force tweeted: “A delivery driver was issued a ticket for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition, after they were caught trying to play Tetris with the parcels they had in their car.”
They added: “OPU B Shift have taken part in some planned operations over the past few days, the areas targeted were Worcester and Evesham.
“Numerous vehicles were stopped and ticketed for excessive speed.
“There were also three arrests made after drivers provided positive drug wipes. Two persons were arrested for serious assaults.”
Driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition is an offence that carries penalty points for the driver.
It applies to both the car, its trailer or accessories and equipment inside and out.
Cops can act if they believe the “weight, position or distribution of a load” in a vehicle, such as parcels.
They can also act if the manner in which they are secured down could be dangerous enough to lead to an injury on the roads.
Motorists have previously been warned about the hefty penalties they could be slapped with if items obstruct their view while driving.
Anything that is deemed to prevent you from having a full view of the road can attract a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points on your licence.
And if you try to challenge the penalty in court, you could be hit with a maximum fine of £1,000.
The Highway Code states: “Windscreens and windows must be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision.”
And the Road Traffic Act says: “No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a road if he is in such a position that he cannot have a full view of the road and traffic ahead.”
The practice can also impact your insurance if you’re involved in an accident.
Insurers aren’t likely to cover any damage or injuries sustained in a crash if your vision is impacted by decorations.
Regulations have become stricter since a taxi driver was fined for having furry dice and a two air fresheners hanging from their rear-view mirror when involved in a fatal collision with a pedestrian in 2008.
Likewise, cramming something in the back of the car with the boot door tied down with string, the method can result in a stiff fine.
Ultimately, the police could sting you for a CU50 offence – causing or likely to cause danger by reason of load or passengers depending on how bad the offence is.
And in dangerous cases you also risk being charged with careless and inconsiderate driving, which could lead to an unlimited fine and nine points.
Meanwhile, one motorist was left stunned when her van was fined while being carried on the back of a breakdown truck.
Eve Scraggs, from Bristol, discovered that a tech error led to her being slapped with a £120 penalty charge.