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VOSA fixed-penalty fines yield more than E80,000
Page 8
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VOSA TOOK MORE than £80,000 in fines during its first 12 days of issuing graduated fixed penalties, with a huge 88% from foreign drivers of vehicles in breach of the UK's road transport laws.
The figures were supplied to C'otnotercial Motor following a Freedom of Information request and appear to show VOSA is making good on its intention to target trucks driven by people unable to prove UK residency. Just 12% of graduated fixed penalties were issued to UK national drivers during the first 12 days of enforcement.
Graduated fixed penalties for UK and foreign HGV drivers came into force on 1 April, and VOSA has issued the fines for a variety of offences including drivers' hours breaches, overloading and unroadworthy vehicles since 28 May.
However, between the period 28 May to 8 June, VOSA took: • £68,450 from 714 fixed penalty deposits (issued for offences to drivers who are unable to provide a satisfactory address in the UK and required immediate payment) • £9,970 from 513 fixed penalties (issued for relevant offences to drivers who are able to provide a satisfactory address in the UK)
• £2,100 from eight court deposit notices (immediate payments issued to drivers without a satisfactory UK address who are to be prosecuted in court)
Carl Myers. director at transport consultancy OLMC, says: "This looks like an indication of the level playing field that the industry has being crying out for regarding foreign-registered trucks on UK roads getting an easy ride."
A VOSA spokeswoman says: "The graduated fixed penalties deposit scheme has been successfully implemented into roadside working practices and we are discovering that the fine amounts are at the upper end of the levels projected."
She adds: -Drivers should make every effort to ensure they are aware of, and adhere to drivers hours and overloading rules.
-They should always carry out a daily walkaround check of their vehicle to avoid fixed penalties for defects they should have been aware of before setting off on their journey."