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Research reveals that the number of European HGVs on UK
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roads has risen by a third since 2001. Insurer Liverpool Victoria says it expects this to grow by 18% by 2013.
The Department for Transport has recently made some bullish statements about its attitude to these vehicles on the roads and their likelihood of being unroadworthy. Transport minister Jim Fitzpatrick announced a E24m package to clampdown on these HGVs, although CM discovered E6m of this had already been allocated for road safety improvements_ That said, a 50% increase in roadside checks, the opening of more enforcement sites and 97 extra enforcement staff is seen largely as a robust response to a perennial problem in the industry. And the advent of a graduated fixed-penalty
notice scheme, with fines of up to £200, or surety for prosecution of up to £300, can only close the door further on illegal practices.
Fitzpatrick explains: Our message is clear. Those who break the rules of the road will not get away with it, irrespective of whether or not they live in the UK.
'The only way to avoid a penalty will be to ensure that vehicles are fully roadworthy, drivers comply with UK road traffic law and commercial vehicle drivers do not break drivers' hours rules or run with an overloaded vehicle."
Jack Semple, director of policy at the Road Haulage Association, says: "My understanding is that they are taking this issue very, very seriously. It's probably less than we would like, but it shows a strong intention."