Bid to Reduce Road Accidents Leads to Crack Down on Foreign Lorry Drivers

MP’s urge action over unsafe vehicles on UK roads

Foreign drivers unfamiliar with UK roads and driving vehicles that are not roadworthy are responsible for too many accidents on Britain’s roads, according to MP’s from the Commons Transport Committee.

The MP’s were quoting statistics from the body responsible for ensuring all vehicles entering the UK are roadworthy, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), which found that 47% of foreign-registered vehicles it stopped had dangerous defects. This figure is significantly higher than the number of UK vehicles with defects and now members from all political parties are calling for VOSA to be given additional powers such as being able to inspect vehicles for defects whilst they are still in port.
Compliance with safety standards for lorries, buses and coaches

Speaking about the agency and its role, Committee chairman Louise Ellman MP said that although Britain had some of the safest roads in Europe, more must be done to ensure compliance with safety standards for lorries, buses and coaches. Ms Ellman also said that VOSA was “hampered by some of the data-sharing regulations” that govern the exchange of data between European countries’ border forces, and that “it is crucial that VOSA can share information with colleagues in other European countries to bring cowboy operators to book.”

Not only was the condition of some foreign-registered lorries a cause for concern. The working practices of European haulage companies often means that their drivers work longer shifts with fewer breaks than their UK counterparts. This in itself is blamed for many of the accidents caused by foreign drivers who have fallen asleep at the wheel after driving for an extended period with no break.

Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) accident compensation claims

Have you been involved in an accident with a heavy goods vehicle and you weren’t to blame? Contact Camps Solicitors to speak to someone who can help. Whether you have been hit by a foreign registered driver, or one from the UK, we can help you to recover personal injuries compensation for any injuries you might have suffered.

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