12-08-03 VOSA Gets Powers To Stop Vehicles
VOSA staff are being accredited with the powers to stop vehicles for roadside checks. From early September, pilot schemes are to be run in Cambridgeshire, Staffordshire and Northumbria, with similar schemes following in North Wales, Greater Manchester and the Metropolitan area.
This is a huge move for VOSA and is sure to ease the pressure on police, as well as helping crack down on unroadworthy vehicles and illegal road-users.
The vehicles which are being used are Ford Galaxies with yellow & black battenburg side markings, yellow & orange chevrons at the rear and a roof bar with amber lights & variable matrix signing. VOSA “stoppers” are being trained by the Police to ensure public safety as well as their own safety and effectiveness.
The Association of Chief Police Officers, the Home Office and the trade associations have supported the accreditation of VOSA staff.
For more information on VOSA’s Powers to Stop or to request a leaflet please call 0870 6060440 or visit www.vosa.gov.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) was created on 1 April 2003 by merging the Former Vehicle Inspectorate and the Traffic Area Network Division of the Department for Transport. VOSA is responsible for:
- Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses and registering bus services
- Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the MOT testing scheme
- Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations
- Enforcing drivers' hours and licensing requirements
- Supporting Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator licensing, vocational drivers and bus registration requirements
- Providing training and advice for commercial operators
- Investigating vehicle accident, defects and recalls.
Should you require further information about VOSA, its work or help with stories or programming related to road safety and environmental protection please contact: Jay Fordham or Miranda Roberts, VOSA, 0117 954 3334/3233, e-mail jeanette.fordham@vosa.gov.uk / miranda.roberts@vosa.gov.uk.
Page last updated: 26/10/2007