More than half of the lorries stopped by police in Chelmsford were breaking the law.
Officers from Essex Police took part in Operation Mermaid yesterday - a national campaign to carry out checks on heavy goods vehicles.
And three of the lorries were in such bad condition they were ordered off the road immediately and were not allowed to continue their journeys.
Police teamed with officers from the vehicle inspectorate, vehicle licensing, the DSS and the local vehicle registration office to direct lorries into the checkpoint at the Boreham services, Chelmsford.
The vehicles were escorted to the check site where they were thoroughly examined for any mechanical defects and other infringements. Only 29 of the 67 goods vehicles were in good order.
Another five were so poor they were allowed to drive home, but then had to be taken off the road.
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