Police in Hampshire and Thames Valley have raised concerns over the dangers of exporting “end of life vehicles” from the UK, warning that the trade carries potentially deadly consequences. Officers have been monitoring the A34 for trucks and vans that are no longer roadworthy in Britain but are being sold abroad.
Sgt Paul Diamond of the joint roads policing team revealed that the problem emerged around three years ago. “A pattern began to emerge of abandoned lorries, broken down vehicles and preventable fires,” he said, citing incidents including one on the M4 that disrupted the funeral procession of Queen Elizabeth at Windsor.
The vehicles involved in the trade often fail to meet basic safety standards. Sgt Diamond explained: “They’ve got tyres that are 20 years old. They can have been sitting in a field for 10. The chassis is corroded, the brakes might not work.” Some vehicles are even exported without the commercial equivalent of an MOT, making them highly unsafe for long-distance travel.
Last year, a lorry destined for Africa crashed through two cars parked in a lay-by before ending up on its side in a field. Sgt Diamond described the risks of overladen lorries as reminiscent of the horror film Final Destination, highlighting the real danger to road users and pedestrians.
Policing the trade is challenging, with officers having to carefully monitor the arrival and departure schedules of ships at Southampton that may be used by exporters. “Nobody wants to pay to store a vehicle, with all the costs that involves, as they wait for the next possible sailing,” Sgt Diamond added. “It is frightening. But that is why we are out here, so we don’t have to knock on somebody’s door later today and explain to them why their loved one isn’t coming home.”
The crackdown on end of life vehicle exports emphasises the importance of road safety and responsible vehicle disposal. Officers hope their efforts will prevent tragic accidents and ensure that vehicles leaving the UK are safe for transport, rather than a deadly risk.
