15-12-03 Power to Stop - improving VOSA's effectiveness
VOSA has been accredited by 5 Police forces so far with the Power to Stop vehicles.
Since the accreditation was given 2,034 Heavy Goods Vehicles, 594 Trailers and 2,469 Light Goods Vehicles & cars have been stopped and examined in the participating areas. This has resulted in 677 prohibitions being issued. (98 drivers’ hours, 72 overloading and 516 roadworthiness). This compares with 2671 vehicles stopped over the same period in these areas last year when 409 prohibitions were issued.
Roadside checks are an essential part of VOSA’s work in helping to crack down on unroadworthy vehicles and illegal road users. Having the power to stop increases VOSA’s effectiveness by having the flexibility to carry out roadside checks at short notice. This is good news for road safety and legitimate operators and will ease the pressure on police resources.
Northumbria, Cambridgeshire, North Wales, Greater Manchester and Staffordshire Police forces have accredited VOSA with the power to stop vehicles in the first phase of the roll out across England and Wales. It is anticipated that the Metropolitan Police will accredit VOSA staff early in the new year.
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: 25/09/2006