19-12-03 Partnership Delivers Outstanding Results
Results from the recent check of goods vehicles travelling to and from ports serving the Irish Sea have been released today. The check, co-ordinated by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and in conjunction with the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency (Northern Ireland), Department of Transport in the Republic of Ireland, HM Customs and Excise and various police forces, took place between the 5th- 14th December.
Of the 1032 vehicles checked for roadworthiness, 36% were issued with prohibitions and of 1101 checked for traffic offences, only 34% were found to be clear of offences. Effective targeting meant that there were a high number of prohibitions with 40% of UK registered vehicles and 32% of foreign vehicles checked prohibited for roadworthiness. Almost half of the foreign vehicles checked for traffic offences were issued with prohibitions with the biggest problem being drivers’ hours.
Bob Tatchell, VOSA’s Operations Director said of the check:
“Our aim is to improve road safety and environmental protection and holding these checks forms a vital part of our strategy for achieving this aim. VOSA is committed to targeting and punishing illegal operators.”
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: 25/09/2006