A targeted police operation has identified 168 vehicle defects during a three-week winter safety campaign.
Operation Uplift, coordinated by the Roads Policing Unit, ran from October 27 to November 13th.
During that time, officers stopped 276 vehicles, with 138 found to have defects.
Faulty lights accounted for 105 of the issues, followed by 44 instances of worn tyres. A further 19 defects included faulty exhausts, wipers, and missing wing mirrors.
Eleven vehicles were found with expired tax.
Defects
In response, 115 drivers were issued with Defect Rectification Notices. Thirteen received endorsable fixed penalties, mainly for illegal tyres.
Seven individuals were reported for summons for offences including no insurance, and five were arrested for drink or drug driving.
A police spokesperson said: “We do this campaign at this time of year to raise awareness as with the darker nights and change in weather, the ever-present risks from using defective vehicles are increased.”
The constabulary emphasised that vehicle checks are a year-round priority, urging all drivers to ensure they and their vehicles are fit for the road.