Operators must comply with the declaration they give to the Traffic Commissioner that they will ensure their vehicles are operated in a safe mechanical condition.
It is an offence to operate a vehicle that is unroadworthy and therefore it is imperative that HGV operators meet the requirements of the licensing legislation.
According to VOSA, it focuses on the levels of compliance and standards of roadworthiness rather than how operators achieve the high standards expected. Click here to read more »
A recent High Court decision possibly shines a tiny chink of light on the working relationship between North Wales police and Vosa.
Situated at the gateway of most of the freight traffic coming into the country from Ireland, you can imagine the force has probably seen its fair share of less than scrupulous hauliers sending knackered vehicles and even more knackered drivers across the sea.
And for that reason it probably jumped at the chance to impound four vehicles belonging to operator O’Leary International after officers discovered drivers were in possession of false letters of attestation, duplicate tacho cards and a mouth full of fibs. Click here to read more »
In 2009 and 2010 VOSA and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ran campaigns in which enforcement officers focused their attention on how loads were secured in lorries.
The results raised serious concerns that significant numbers of vehicles did not have sufficiently restrained cargo.
The (Road Vehicles) Construction & Use Regulations 1986 indicate that loads must be secured, if necessary by physical restraint other than their own weight, so they don’t present a danger or nuisance.
Research shows unsafe loads cost businesses millions of pounds in damaged goods each year. Click here to read more »
VOSA’s Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) system is undergoing some significant changes and operators should check out how they will be affected.
The enforcement agency has carried out a review of its rating system and it has agreed to remove the predictive scoring element of calculating a company’s score. Click here to read more »
The fact that drivers hours abuses tops the list of most common prosecutions by VOSA won’t come as much of a surprise.
The agency’s effectiveness report for 2010/11 shows that there were more than 2,100 cases reported for prosecution in England and Wales, and over 2,000 convictions. Click here to read more »
From 1st January the MoT test is changing to reflect advances in vehicle technology.
The additional mandatory checks will affect all vehicles and include areas such as brakes, lighting and on-board electrical safety systems.
They have come about because of new European requirements on roadworthiness and vehicle owners need to be aware of what this means for them because ignoring a warning light may no longer get you through an MoT test. Click here to read more »
