MPs raise concerns over Vosa operations CM COVER STORY A
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report by the Transport Select Committee into Vosa has raised questions about aspects of the agency's work By Chris Druce THE ROAD HAULAGE Association (RHA) has backed a suggestion that Vosa focuses too much enforcement attention on smaller operators, to the detriment of ensuring larger fleets are compliant.
The verdict came last week (19 July) in the Transport Select Committee's report Work of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.
In it MPs warn that an apparent over-reliance on the Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) for enforcement purposes means Vosa is at risk of targeting specific types of operators.
The report uses the example of holders of 'restricted' LGV licences as being more likely to be stopped. "Although Vosa's data indicates these operators are more likely to be non-compliant, operators which are more frequently on the road might be overlooked," said 1VIT's.
"We recognise the value of OCRS for targeting dangerous vehicles while minimising the burden on the compliant.
"However, we are concerned that undue reliance on the OCRS could have a distorting effect whereby larger operators are not being monitored effectively. This could encourage complacency or poor practice.Vosa should enhance OCRS to remove this distortion."
Jack Semple, RHA director of policy, said: "We agree with the committee that Vosa may have an over-reliance on OCRS; our concern in that area relates to all serious offenders, including foreign hauliers and UK firms, regardless of size."
The RHA also backed the call for a more robust approach to those caught falsifying tachograph records. "Hopefully, the report will give added impetus to discussions between Vosa and the Association of Chief Police Officers [to provide additional police support]," said Semple.
On a related point, the select committee noted that with the additional enforcement requirements next April's HGV Road User Levy will bring, Vosa might struggle to cope. 1VIT's suggested some of the levy should be spent on additional Vosa enforcement resources to address this.