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VOSA gets the right to say 'Stop!'
Page 7
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THE VEHICLE and Operator Services Agency has been given the power to stop vehicles for roadside checks to ease the pressure on police and crack down on unroadworthy vehicles and illegal road users. The move follows successful trials of the scheme across counties in England and Wales.
Previously police officers had to be present during spot checks as only they had the authority to stop vehicles. Transport minister David Jamieson says trials of the new powers have been a great success: -They have demonstrated that as well as freeing up valuable police resources they have improved effectiveness in targeting unroadworthy vehicles that endanger other road users."
VOSA is being trained by the police to ensure public safety, and will drive patrol cars in the distinctive yellow and black Battenherg markings.
The Association of Chief Police Officers has welcomed the move, but says it believes the power to stop should be given to VOSA in its own right rather than through the Police Reform Act 2002, which allows chief constables to accredit VOSA employees.