§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many routine vehicle checks were carried out on(a) heavy goods vehicles and (b) public service vehicles on road freight transport operators' premises in each of the last 10 years. [163836]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe number of roadworthiness fleet checks carried out by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (formerly the Vehicle Inspectorate) on heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles in each of the last 10 years is shown in the following table:
Roadworthiness fleet checks Vehicle category HGV PSV 2002–03 26,487 4,499 2001–02 25,500 4,661 2000–01 39,260 5,197 1999–2000 39,048 5,298 1998–99 39,425 5,759 1997–98 45,170 6,439 1996–97 44,520 7,112 1995–96 48,749 6,800 1994–95 50,942 6,804 1993–94 57,869 8,123 Note
The figures for HGV include checks carried out on trailers.The reduction in the number of checks carried out in more recent years reflects a change of focus by VOSA on the way its activities are undertaken. Through better data analysis and more effective targeting, VOSA activities increasingly focus on the value of the activity in terms of improving road safety and environmental protection rather than the pure number of inspections.