06-08-04 Results of Operation Tourist 2004
This year’s Operation Tourist, a national check of coaches and buses (PSVs) carrying members of the public to holiday and other recreational destinations took place between 3rd July and 1st August 2004. The checks were co-ordinated by Avon and Somerset Police and were carried out at 43 locations throughout the country.
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) staff examined the vehicles for both mechanical and traffic offences. Vehicle Examiners checked a total of 953 buses and coaches, of which 86 received immediate prohibitions for various mechanical defects including; brakes, tyres, emergency doors and bodywork. A further 108 received delayed prohibitions.
Traffic Examiners checked 980 vehicles of which 97 offences require further investigation for drivers hours and records, operator licensing, and drivers licence. 163 verbal warnings were given for minor infringements of drivers hours and records.
Commenting on the check Jeff Belt, Operations Director for VOSA said:
“Operation Tourist shows the continuing commitment of VOSA and the Police working together in the interest of road safety. We are encouraged that a very high proportion of vehicles inspected were found to be defect free and that the vast majority of coach operators take their responsibilities with regard to the maintenance of their vehicles very seriously. It is still disappointing that some coaches were not able to continue their journey until repairs were carried out, but it is important that both VOSA and the Police continue to target and take action against those operators whose vehicles do not meet the required standards. We will continue with these type of checks in addition to our more highly targeted checks to ensure that the high standards of road safety in this country are maintained not only in the interest of passengers but of all road users.”
Disruption to passengers was kept to a minimum by having most check sites at service areas. Only those who’s coaches were prohibited from moving may have had any significant delay.
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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.
Page last updated: 25/09/2006