§ Lord Bradshawasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many additional vehicle examiners and traffic examiners have been deployed in the last two years to make "on the road" checks on heavy goods vehicles. [HL1123]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe number of vehicle examiners increased from 252 in 1998–99 to 276 in 1999–2000 and increased again to 285 in 2000–2001. The number of traffic examiners rose from 169 in 1998–99 to 175 in 1999–2000. The number of traffic examiners remained unchanged in 2000–01, but the number of traffic examiners in post in the first half of 2001–02 has increased to 206. Examiners check heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), public service vehicles (PSVs) and other road vehicles for roadworthiness, emissions88WA and compliance with drivers' hours and other traffic legislation. Vehicle examiners also carry out standards control checks at MOT testing stations and support the traffic commissioners in their operator licensing functions. All examiners spend a proportion of their time carrying out roadside spot checks of HGVs.
§ Lord Bradshawasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many "on the road" checks on heavy goods vehicles were made by enforcement officers during each of the last three years for which figures are available; and [HL1124]
Of the heavy goods vehicles stopped by enforcement officers during the past three years for which figures are available, how many were found in breach of (a) weight limits; (b) drivers' hours regulations; (c) regulations concerning vehicle safety; or (d) other offences. [HL1125]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe Vehicle Inspectorate records separately the different inspections carried out on an individual vehicle by vehicle examiners and traffic examiners and therefore a figure for the number of individual vehicles stopped for examination are not available. The tables below show the number of roadside spot checks carried out by examiners and the enforcement action taken when offences have been found. The inspectorate's performance measures encourage examiners to target those vehicles that are considered most likely to be committing offences and thereby increase the effectiveness of the checks in terms of road safety and environmental protection as well as minimising delays for compliant operators.
Roadworthiness Spot Checks: HGV Motor Vehicles Year Number of Checks Prohibition Rate 2000–2001 68,270 21.3% 1999–2000 74,459 20.1% 1998–1999 69,718 20.9% Note:
Excludes emission only checks on HGV motor vehicles but includes foreign vehicles. Only one prohibition notice is issued per vehicle although it may contain a list of defects/offences where more than one has been found. The most serious defect/ offence determines whether an immediate or delayed prohibition is issued.
Roadworthiness Spot Checks: HGV Trailers Year Number of checks Prohibition Rate 2000–01 22,159 20.7% 1999–2000 24,046 19.0% 1998–99 23,683 19.6% Note:
Excludes foreign vehicles. Only one prohibition notice is issued per vehicle although it may contain a list of defects/offences where more than one has been found. The most serious defect/ offence determines whether an immediate or delayed prohibition is issued.
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HGV exhaust emission spot checks Year Number of vehicles checked Prohibition Rate 2000–01 9,832 1.0% 1999–2000 14,576 0.8% 1998–99 12,149 1.7%
HGV Examinations, Weighings and Offences Prohibited and Prosecuted Offences found and action take (Note 1) Drivers Hours Tachograph and Records Overloading (Note 3) Other (Note 2) Number examined inc no. weighed Number weighed Report for prosecution Convicted Prohibit (foreign only) Report for prosecution Convicted Prohibition Report for prosecution Convicted 2000–01 UK 120,580 51,181 12,231 10,463 2,933 2,689 3,112 3,679 3,265 Foreign 12,204 5,426 865 515 1999–2000 UK 144,277 58,049 14,247 11,710 2,694 2,394 2,818 3,442 2,884 Foreign 13,790 5,800 853 504 1998–99 UK 179,285 70,940 10,343 8,711 3,547 3,115 4,000 4,298 3,536 Foreign 13,288 4,842 841 589 Note 1: Some minor offences detected at the roadside are not sufficiently serious to prosecute and the driver is given an immediate verbal warning. Records of verbal warnings are not kept centrally.
Note 2: Other category offences cover authorised use, Construction and Use, Driver Licence and other less frequently occurring offences.
Note 3: Progressive increases in permitted weights since 1998 have reduced the likely incidence of overloading.