§ Mr. BatisteTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of heavy goods vehicles weighed by(a) his Department and (b) local authorities in each of the last three years for which statistics are available were found to be overweight; what proportion of those resulted in prosecution; and what was the average fine.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyFollowing is the information.
Proportion of vehicles weighed found to be overloaded Proportion of overloaded vehicles prosecuted Average fine Per cent. Per cent. £ DTp 1984 20 38 153 1985 19 39 158 1986 20 43 151 Local authorities 1984 30 30 165 1985 36 35 197 1986 31 32 187
§ Mr. BatisteTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps he is taking to promote research into the effects on roads and road safety of the overloading of heavy goods vehicles; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what action he proposes to take to encourage better heavy goods vehicles design so as to reduce wear and tear on the road system; and what estimate he has made of the scope for savings in road repairs by this means.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe TRRL's research programme includes work on the relationship between the design of heavy goods vehicles, their axle loads and the forces imposed on roads and bridges. It is too early to say what design changes this may lead to and what effect this may have on road maintenance expenditure. The incidence530W of lorry overloading and the effects on road wear have been estimated. Research on lorry safety is aimed at improvements to the lorry in all conditions of load.
§ Mr. BatisteTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with the effectiveness of existing enforcement procedures concerning the overloading of heavy goods vehicles; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyNo.
Over 100,000 heavy goods vehicles will be check-weighed during the current year. Constant efforts are being made to increase the effectiveness of the resources available for enforcement by the use of new technology.
§ Mr. BatisteTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with the adequacy of existing penalties to deter heavy goods vehicles operators from overloading their vehicles; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyNo.
The level of fines imposed on drivers and operators of overloaded heavy goods vehicles is a matter for the courts, taking into account the particular circumstances of each case. The maximum fine provided by the law does not at present constrain the courts from imposing an adequate penalty. Overloading convictions can also be taken into account by the licensing authorities in deciding whether to take action in respect of an operator's licence.