Prohibitions vary in Commissioners' report
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• In the first twelve months following the enactment of the 1985 Transport Act, the nine regional Traffic Commissioners were together responsible for almost 93,000 vehicles inspections and 2,221 immediate vehicle prohibitions.
These figures, contained within the first Annual Report of the Traffic Commissioners since deregulation show that roughly 2.4% of all passenger service vehicles inspected were immediately prohibited. A further 1,200 psvs, or 1.3% of all passenger vehicles inspected, were the subject of deferred prohibitions.
There was considerable variation between regions in the number of vehicles prohibited. In the Metropolitan region, for example, there were 1,102 immediate vehicle prohibitions and 260 deferred prohibitions during the year. By contrast, the West Midlands region saw 40 immediate prohibitions and 48 deferred prohibitions.
During the year, traffic commissioners suspended three psv operators, 36 licence curtailments, 29 revocations and 45 reductions in the number of vehicles permitted on the operator's licence.
A total of 2,373 summonses were issued during the year for offences against the Act and 1,517 of these led to convictions. The most frequent offence involving PSVs related to drivers hours infringements. During the year there were 439 convictions for drivers hours offences and 364 convictions relating to tachograph offences.
The nine regional traffic commissioners issued 515 minibus permits during the year. A further 961 permits were granted by local authorities and 557 minibus permits were also granted by designated bodies. During the year a total of 52 minibus permits were revoked.
Copies of the Traffic Commissioners report are available from the Department of Transport, price £4,65. Telephone 01-212 3434.