Written question asked by John Baron (Conservative) on Thursday, 3 April 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 April 2008. It was answered by Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 April 2008 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Left-hand Drive Heavy Goods Vehicles: Safety

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Government are taking to improve the safety record of left hand drive heavy goods vehicles.

Answer: We are continuing to increase the level of enforcement activity undertaken by the Department's Vehicle and Operator Services Agency targeted against heavy commercial vehicles on international journeys. We have made significant additional funding available to VOSA for this purpose over the last couple of years, and we will be adding a further £24 million over the next three years. This means 97 extra enforcement staff, 24/7 checking at key sites, as well as two additional check sites, all leading to around 75,000 additional checks.We will also be adding a significant new deterrent against non-compliance with the introduction of 'on-the-spot financial penalties' early next year. This will mean that non-UK-resident offenders will—at last—be facing similar enforcement action to that taken against UK vehicle operators and to that which has been taken by other member states against UK drivers for many years.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 474 c1893W; 199777
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Written statements
House of Lords; Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Written statements
House of Commons
Question not reached: Yes
Subjects: Large goods vehicles Safety
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk