AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Crime and punishment

24th January 2002
Page 40
Page 40, 24th January 2002 — Crime and punishment
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Arguably the most depressing piece of information in the VI's latest annual effectiveness report is the pitifuly low level of fines handed out after successful prosecutions. Average fine levels for all offences remain, in the VI's own words "disappointingly low" at 115 in England and Wales and only £104 in Scotland.

This underlines why the VI is increasingly presenting more cases direct to the Traffic Commissioners at public inquiries (PI) rather than seeking convictions via the courts—especially as the TCs can gat a miscreant into a PI a lot quicker than a court hearing and revoke the Operator's Licence if the offence is serious enough. This clearly has afar greater deterrent effect, and the IC can still take account of any convictions at any subsequent Pl.

Someone also needs to tell the judiciary to pull its finger out when it comes to punishing unlicensed operators. Last year the average fine for operating a truck without an 0-licence actually fell from 1373 to £.537. Little more than a slap on the wrist But with impounding all that should change.

• GOVERNMENT BLACK MARK!

Tags


comments powered by Disqus