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Newry Neighbourhood Policing Team and officers from the PSNI's Road and Armed Support Unit joined with Driver Vehicle Agency (DVA)Enforcement Officers to conduct a road safety operation on Saturday, 21 April.
The operation took place in Newry with the aim of improving road safety and reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads.
The DVA Test Centre was opened throughout the operation to facilitate examination of vehicles. Thirteen vehicles, including modified cars, taxis and coaches as well as standard cars, were examined.
Defects included defective steering, defective tyres, defective brakes, defective lights, defective suspension, no taxi licence plates, no fire extinguisher being carried in a taxi, tachograph offences, defective exhaust, no insurance and no PSV licence. A number of drivers were issued with fixed penalty notices and referred for prosecution.
Con Valentine, Newry NPT, said: "This was a very successful operation and sends out a clear message that police and DVA will work together to improve road safety and prevent defective vehicles being driven on our roads.
"This partnership approach allows us to bring together a range of different skills, knowledge and legal powers to make the maximum amount of detections.
"The responsibility is on motorists to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and comply with current legislation. In addition to fixed penalty notices and referral to the Public Prosecution Service, police also have the power to request a preliminary breath test from a driver if an offence is committed.
"We will continue to work with DVA and plan to conduct similar road safety operations in the near future. We will continue to do everything in our power to make the roads safer for everyone.
