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Impounding is not the whole answer

11th May 1995, Page 5
11th May 1995
Page 5
Page 5, 11th May 1995 — Impounding is not the whole answer
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

by Karen Miles • Impounding vehicles running without 0-licences would not solve the problem of killer trucks, says the Department of Transport's own think tank on lorry safety. Civil servants are advising ministers that impounding should only be used for persistent and deliberate law breakers.

The change in emphasis from the Illegal Operations Working Group (l)WG) comes as it admits that some unlicensed hauliers run lorries which are safe. Conversely, runs the argument, some 0-licence holders do run lorries which are unsafe.

Habitual law-breakers, both with and without 0-licences, present the real dangers to road safety, according to the IOWG.

It is considering the practical

ities and political acceptability of a new law which would allow the courts to impound the vehicles of the worst law-breakers.

Operators caught without an 0-licence would be warned on the first occasion but a second offence would trigger an examination of the haulier's vehicles, insurance, \TED and driver's hours records. The courts would have the power to impound.

The Road Haulage Association, the Freight Transport Association, the Brake safety campaign and the police all favour impounding.

RHA operations director Tim Inman says: "I would be quite happy for the criteria to be judged for bringing in impounding to be broadened to include on-the-road offences as well as no 0-licence."


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