CARAVAN owners have been warned that a recent police survey of vehicles revealed many were dangerously overloaded and unfit for the road.

Traffic officers who stopped dozens of caravans in a lay-by on the A64 near York discovered that many were too heavy for the vehicles towing them.

Over two days last week more than 70 caravans heading to the east coast were stopped and 14 ordered off the road immediately by police officers.

Some were found to have defective lights, others had unroadworthy tyres, but the majority were too heavily loaded.

Sergeant Ian Butler said: "People aren't learning. This is a matter of safety. It is a life and death issue and we will return to address this another time. The results are simply not good enough."

The checks were the latest in a two-month operation by North Yorkshire Police to crack down on caravan users who do not properly load and maintain their vehicles.

Officers said overloaded caravans were unstable and difficult to control. They added that some owners failed to check their machines adequately after getting them out of winter storage.

The move was also aimed at improving traffic flow during busy weekends and bank holidays, as overworked unsuitable towing vehicles often break down and cause jams.

During the spot checks outside the Highwayman Caf, Malton Road, York, dozens of drivers were handed notices that ordered them to get minor defects fixed, or face legal action.

Highways officers were also on hand during the spot checks to technically examine vehicles and to offer their expertise.

Sgt Butler said it "defies belief" that people were happy to take their families on holiday in vehicles which should not be on the roads.

In May, eight caravans were taken straight off the road, mainly because they were too heavy for the vehicles towing them, while two fixed penalties and 13 warnings were handed out for the same reason.

Updated: 09:14 Saturday, June 05, 2004