VI study may bail out overspenders
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/ The Vehicle Inspectorate has ordered a study of projected enforcement costs in a move that could bail out three overspending traffic areas.
The VI says the study is "routine". But it follows reports that three of the eight traffic areas have run out of money for prosecuting hauliers who plead not guilty (CM 10-16 Sept).
Sources within the troubled areas claim they have spent the whole year's allocation for prosecution only half way through the financial year.
They say they are being told by the VI not to proceed with prosecutions against operators pleading not guilty because it involves high legal costs.
The VI vigorously denies this, but admits that three areas have overspent for the time of year. It denies a cash crisis and says that nationally the traffic areas are keeping within their prosecution budgets.
The VI has told the overspending areas to make economies in other activities to make up the shortfall, but the results of the new study may allow funds to be channelled from the other five areas.
A source in one of the affected areas confirms that many operators who plead not guilty are escaping prosecution: "There have been some serious offences committed where there would have been prosecutions and we've only sent out warning letters ... morale couldn't be any lower among traffic examiners."
Other sources suggest that the VI is desperate to avoid adverse publicity while its future is under Government scrutiny.