Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many United Kingdom and European Union hauliers have been convicted in the last year of using two-axle tractor units to haul 44-tonne loads; how many fines in respect of such convictions 166WA have not been paid; and how many companies have had their operating licences withdrawn because of such convictions. [HL3701]
§ Lord Davies of Oldham:The enforcement of road vehicle weight restrictions is carried out by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) on behalf of the department. The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1988 only permit articulated vehicles with six axles (three axle tractor units plus three axle semi trailers) to operate at 44 tonnes.
Unfortunately the data held by the agency on overloaded vehicles are not available in sufficient detail to identify hauliers who have been convicted of using a vehicle consisting of a two axle tractor unit to haul 44-tonne loads.
The principal sanction for breaches of weight regulations is that of prohibition although prosecution action may be instigated where it is in the public interest to do so. The collection of fines and the pursuit of those remaining unpaid is a matter for the courts. No GB hauliers have had their operators licence withdrawn solely for overloading.
Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many United Kingdom and European Union hauliers have been fined on the spot or had their vehicles impounded for exceeding the 41 tonne limit on gross vehicle weight using two-axle tractor units. [HL3702]
§ Lord Davies of Oldham:The enforcement of road vehicle weight restrictions is carried out by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) on behalf of the department. The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998 only permit articulated vehicles with six axles (3 axle tractor units plus 3 axle semi trailers) to operate at 41 tonnes.
Unfortunately the data held by the agency on overloaded vehicles are not available in sufficient detail to identify the number of vehicles using a two-axle tractor unit which have been found to be exceeding the 41-tonne limit.
The principal sanction for breaches of weight regulations is that of prohibition. At present VOSA has no powers to issue on the spot fines for road traffic offences and cannot impound vehicles found only to be operating overloaded.