28-08-09 VOSA deploys new motorway task force for Cheshire
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has teamed up with The Highways Agency and Cheshire Police, to form part of a new road safety task force on the M6 corridor in Cheshire.
The recently deployed unit, which operates from premises at Sandbach, is equipped with 5 VOSA marked stopper cars and a pool of 40 highly trained VOSA examiners who are on call 24/7.
VOSA’s Merseyside and Cheshire Area Manager, Geoffrey Whitley said:
“Our objective is to save lives, improve road safety, reduce vehicle related crime and protect the environment. We have sophisticated targeting systems, including ANPR at our disposal and whilst compliant goods vehicle and passenger carrying vehicle drivers have nothing to fear, those who flout the rules relating to road transport face immediate financial penalties and even immobilisation.”
In the first month of operations, enforcement action has been taken against at least 250 drivers for a variety of offences relating to vehicle condition, overloading or apparent failure to comply with the rules governing drivers’ hours and tachographs. The Police also made several arrests.
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Notes to Editors:
VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) 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 accidents, defects and recalls.
For media enquiries about VOSA, please contact: Rachel Hicks on 0117 954 3208 or Zita Easton on 0117 954 2561. You can also e-mail press@vosa.gov.uk
Page last updated: 28/08/2009