ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATION
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Computer technology could be the way to make Britain's lorries safer, the parliamentary Transport Select Committee heard last week. Miles Brignall reports...
Computer links between the Traffic Area and Vehicle Inspectorate Offices are crucial to the enforcement of safety regulations for trucks, said Roads Minister Steven Norris, when he appeared before the final meeting of the Transport Select Committee investigation into the enforcement of truck safety laws. The link-up is still two years away, he told the MPs, but its introduction is vital,.
When told that most witnesses had called for more controls on the industry, Norris said that Britain's record on fatal road accidents is the best in Europe, although things could always be improved.
He added that by the time the computer link is in place the VI's computer will have been upgraded and in the long term a direct link could be set up with magistrates courts throughout the country.
Norris defended the decision to close the Manchester and Cardiff TA0s, claiming this would "in no way" compromise the safety of the haulage industry. He said there was a "strong business case" for the closures and promised that savings of up to Lim would be ploughed back into enforcement across the remaining network.
Norris added that he had written to the Magistrates Association to try to persuade them to impose stiffer sentences for truck safety offences with fines reflecting the gravity of offences.
He told MPs he was not persuaded that the LGV driving test should be carried out in laden vehicles as there is no evidence that newly qualified drivers are having more accidents than their experienced colleagues.
Union staff representing TAO and VI staff amazed committee members by telling them that no checks are made on 0-licence applicants who say they have never been prosecuted. Nor are checks made to see if hauliers have been declared bankrupt. They admitted that in many cases lying hauliers are often caught out only if TAO staff happen to spot reports in their local papers.
The unions categorically opposed the closure of Cardiff and Manchester TAOs and stressed the need to retain local knowledge of operators. They said they were not consulted about the closures and saw no reason for the cutbacks.