Hundreds of vehicles and drivers were checked by police as they travelled through Huddersfield.
The checks on Leeds Road yesterday were part of Operation Viper – a force-wide initiative to track down criminals on West Yorkshire’s roads.
Representatives from the Vehicle Operators Service Agency and Customs officers were with police.
Motorists were alerted by the high-visibility police vehicles and the number of officers on the roadside near a retail park.
Drivers were guided safely to pull over so checks could be carried out.
Officers used Automated Number Plate Recognition ANPR to identify number plates which flagged up as having no insurance.
Other vehicles were stopped because of visual vehicle defects such as tyre tread, breach of weight restrictions or vehicle defects such as no brake lights.
Matt Hammond, a Customs road fuel testing officer, said: “We have been invited to come along by the police and our role is to test vehicles for illegal fuel known as red diesel.”
Within the first hour of the day-long exercise officers had checked 38 vehicles.
He added:“We are primarily testing light goods vehicles but we will also check certain types of cars.
“We don’t have a big problem in this area as there aren’t that many places that sell it.
“However it is important to raise awareness and we may get the odd one today.”
Among those vehicles stopped yesterday was a Blue Sprinter Van which had its fuel checked and a white Transit Van which had no brake lights. The driver was issued with a fixed penalty notice.
Taxis were also being checked for defects and breach of licensing laws.
Taxi driver Berraz Masihi was stopped.
He said: “I don’t have a problem with it. Obviously it is time out when you could be taking fares but it is important to ensure the roads are safe for all users.”
Van driver Jamie Murray had driven from Drighlington to Huddersfield as he works in the building trade.
He said: “It’s a big inconvenience and a waste of police resources.
“I think there are other things the police could be doing.
“I don’t think vehicles should be stopped for fuel checks.
“I think there should be more emphasis placed on those agricultural outlets that sell it, to stop it being passed on.”
Motorist Elliot Baker was stopped as he was driving a distinctive Land Rover Defender.
He said: “I knew as soon as I saw the fuel-testing unit that I was going to get pulled over.
“But I don’t mind. They are just doing their job and it’s a good thing vehicles are being checked to ensure they are roadworthy, particularly during the bad weather at this time of year.”
Drivers were also stopped by police if they were spotted without a seatbelt or using their mobile phones while driving at the wheel.
Know the law?
The police can stop a vehicle for any reason. If they ask you to stop, you should always pull over. You are breaking the law if you don’t.
If you’re stopped, the police can ask to see your ‘driving licence, insurance certificate and MOT certificate’.
If your vehicle has something wrong with it, eg a broken brake light, the police may give you a ‘vehicle defect rectification notice’.
You’ll need to get your vehicle fixed and provide proof that it’s been fixed.
