Name and shame smokers to the VI
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• The RAC is stepping up pressure on hauliers to cut pollution by urging other road users to report smoking trucks to the Vehicle Inspectorate's Pollution hotlines.
It says that lorries, buses and vans are responsible for more than 85% of black smoke, while cars account for only 11% of vehicle pollution. These figures come from a six-year emissions survey covering more than 100,000 vehicles throughout the UK.
Edmund King, RAC head of campaigns, says: "Motorists are concerned about the environment and many feel frustrated when they see a bus or lorry belching black fumes. Anyone who shares the RAC's concern should report these dirty vehicles and get them driven off the road."
The RAC hopes to increase awareness of the pollution hotlines which have had little publicity. In the year to March 1997 the hotlines received 11,622 calls, of which 10,121 concerned trucks or buses: 6,282 of these led to prohibitions or warnings.
• Local authorities in Swansea, Glasgow, Westminster, Bristol, Birmingham, Canterbury and Middlesborough are piloting a scheme in which trucks failing pollution checks could incur a 260 spot fine.