A CRACKDOWN on lorries carrying dangerous substances was launched at dawn today.

The "Chemcheck" exercise was a joint operation between the Health and Safety Executive and police in seven counties.

In Lancashire, lorries carrying chemicals, explosives, radioactive material and other dangerous goods were being stopped and checked at the Department of Transport weighbridge at Samlesbury.

The aim was to catch rogue hauliers who break safety regulations and endanger the lives of other road users.

Among the checks will be that vehicles are properly marked and labelled, whether drivers have the correct documents and whether lorries are suitable for carrying dangerous goods.

If the checks discover serious offences, drivers will be stopped from continuing their journeys.

A spokesman for the HSE's chemical and hazardous installations division said: "Most hauliers comply but accidents are occasionally caused by operators who think they can ignore the law and put the lives of drivers and other road users at risk."

Safety officials believe one in 10 vehicles transporting dangerous substances does not comply with safety rules.

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