Written question asked by Chris Ruane (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 June 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 June 2006. It was answered by Tony McNulty (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 June 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Road Deaths (Police Investigation)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sanctions are available to the police to use against (a) individuals, (b) organisations and (c) councils who do not fully co-operate and disclose all information requested in connection with police investigations into road accidents that result in death; and how often such sanctions were applied in each of the last 10 years.

Answer: Generally, anyone who resists or wilfully obstructs a constable in the exercise of his duty is guilty of an offence under section 89(2), Police Act 1996. As regards motoring offences, including those which may have resulted in a fatal accident, the police are empowered under section 172, Road Traffic Act 1988 to ask the registered vehicle keeper who was driving it at the time and it is an offence not to give that information if possible. Under section 99, Transport Act 1968, the police can examine and copy records relating to commercial vehicles and their drivers. It is an offence not to provide those records, which may provide information relevant to an accident investigation, or to obstruct the police. Details of the circumstances in which police exercise these powers and in which offences are committed are not recorded.

Secondary information