18-07-06 Ministerial Launch of South East Pilot
Dr Stephen Ladyman, Minister of State for Transport, has officially launched the South East International Pilot at roadside check, in Ashford, Kent. The pilot is aimed at targeting Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) on international journeys under the enhanced working agreement between VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) and the Highways Agency.
Dr Ladyman was greeted by Stephen Tetlow, Chief Executive of VOSA, and Ginny Clarke, Highways Agency’s Chief Highway Engineer, before speaking to the waiting press. The Minister took the opportunity of boarding a stopper vehicle, which allowed him to see firsthand how vehicles are chosen and pulled into the checksite. He also watched as the vehicles were examined for potential defects and drivers hours offences.
The results emphasised just why this pilot is so important. Of the 63 vehicles that were stopped, 41 received mechanical prohibitions, 23 of which were delayed while 18 were immediate (brakes and tyres were most at fault). Also, 44 drivers were checked, with 12 receiving drivers’ hours prohibitions, while two further prohibitions were issued for other offences.
The South East was identified by the Highways Agency as a starting point as this is where such traffic is greatest and thus associated problems, such as road safety, road wear, competition and congestion issues, are most acute.
Stephen Tetlow, Chief Executive of VOSA, said: “VOSA is delighted to be working alongside the Highways Agency in order to achieve improved road safety. Our new targeted enforcement tools enable us to identify and remove dangerous lorries from the UK’s road network more effectively. This pilot will also allow details of vehicles on international journeys to be added to our database, which will lead to improved targeting of those operators who continue to flout the regulations.”
Ginny Clarke, Highways Agency’s Chief Highway Engineer, concurred, adding: “The Highways Agency is working in partnership with VOSA to gain the benefits for all road users in removing dangerous lorries from the network. As a result of this action, we hope to see a reduction in incident related congestion, a reduction in the deaths and serious injuries and a safer network for everyone.”
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NOTES TO EDITOR:
Primary aims
A third of all critical incidents in this region involve HGVs
Approximately 50% of critical incidents could be addressed through VOSA inspections (side swipes, insecure loads and tiredness)
To reduce the economic cost of non-compliant HGVS on the South East network, which currently stands at approximately £20 million: £4.4m in incident management; £6.8m in accidents; £8.4m in damage to the asset
One major incident avoided through increased enforcement would save £1m of delay costs
Ten critical incidents avoided through increased enforcement would save £1m of delay costs
Some of the most interesting cases from the checks include:
A driver from Eire’s artic and trailer were examined and it was discovered he had been driving for the previous 15 days consecutively. The maximum should be five days. An Italian HGV driver was also caught at Dover having driven for the past 17 hours without a break.
An IoM (classified as non-UK) was pulled into the Leatherhead M25 site. The vehicle had come a short distance since picking up a load consisting of flooring material. When weighed it was found to be 24% over on the drive axle and 18% on the gross weight. Whilst slowly turning off the weighbridge the load shifted and was only stopped from falling off by the tarpaulin cover which was poorly secured by rope.
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, or pictures of some of the vehicles that received prohibitions, please contact: Henry Norman on 0117 954 3208/henry.norman@vosa.gov.uk or Zita Galambosi on 0117 954 2561/zita.galambosi@vosa.gov.uk
Highways Agency is responsible for:
1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. It manages, maintains and improves England’s motorways and trunk roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.
2. The Highways Agency traffic information website is at www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo.
3. For real-time traffic information, the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated telephone service is on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more)
4. For general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the Highways Agency information line on 08457 50 40 30 at any time. (Calls to 0845 numbers cost no more than 3p/min from BT residential landlines. Call charges from other and mobile networks may vary.)
Contact details:
For more information about the Highways Agency, please contact Amelia Yeodal on 07789 017212 or Kate Woods on 07789 424 947.
Out of hours the Highways Agency Duty Press Officer can be contacted by phoning 020 7081 7443.
Page last updated: 03/10/2006