WTF (what we need are inexperienced nitwits checking HGVs instead of meticulous professionals and then there will be a much higher rate of compliance!).
My bolds:
*HGVs and safety*
*Question No: 2697 / 2009*
Jenny Jones
Could you confirm the number of HGVs stopped by police in London for each year since 2000, the proportion that were found to be driving illegally, any breakdown of offences and the proportion that were stopped by specialist traffic police? How will your future policing priorities ensure that there are additional specialist police availableto monitor increased HGV flows that are likely with major construction projects such as Crossrail, Thameslink and the Olympics?
*Answer from the Mayor:*
The MPS did not, until 2008, keep a record of the number of HGVs that were stopped. Below I have set out the available information requested:
Number of HGVs stopped per year since 2000_
In 2008/09 3,000 vehicles were stopped (all types including lightweight vans). Of these 1329 were ‘trucks’ over 7.5 tonnes.
_Proportion found to be driving illegally_
Offences were found in an average 80% of these vehicles. It should be noted that these are experienced officers adept at spotting defects and this is unlikely to be a representative percentage of offences in all commercial vehicles using London’s roads.
_Proportion stopped by specialist traffic police_ -** See above__
_Breakdown of offences_
Approximately 36% of offences relate to Tachographs (mainly driver’s hours) and 10% relate to mechanical defects. Other offences relate to overweight or insecure loads, mobile phone, operator licence, driving licence and insurance offences.__
_Future policing of HGV traffic in light of major construction projects___
The MPS recognises that current and future construction projects in London bring a threat of increased collisions involving Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs). In the last 18 months additional enforcement has been dedicated predominantly in East London, and will continue with this focus whilst the high risk remains and will be reviewed as other large construction projects start on site. Enforcement around the periphery of the Olympic site has been ongoing since March 2008, through operations led by the combined Commercial Vehicle Unit (CVU) and Commercial Vehicle Education Unit (CVEU). In addition to enforcement the CVU continues to offer specialist advice and support to fleet operators at the site and the Olympic security team. This engagement with freight operators using the site, and also with the Vehicle and Operators Services Agency (VOSA), victim groups and cycling campaign groups has contributed to fewer fatal collisions involving LGVs in east London against a backdrop of the substantial increase in the number of heavy vehicle movements.
Although the TfL funding for the CVEU ends on 31 March 2010, the industry-led Freight Operators Recognition Scheme (FORS) has indicated to the MPS that it hopes to continue all the educational and administrative functions previously carried out by the police.
Traffic OCU is undertaking a review of all of its functions and staff including how to manage commercial vehicle enforcement in the future.
http://thebikeshow.net/cycling-questions-and-answers-from-the-mayor-of-london-oct-09/#comments
