Around 10,000 haulage firms are on a ‘red list’ because of the threat they pose to other road users, according to the body that enforces lorry safety in Britain.
The list represents one in eight transport companies and is used by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to target enforcement.
Swannells Transport – Haulage Companies in Huntingdon
According to the DVSA, the hauliers are failing to ensure adequate maintenance and safety or to monitor drivers’ hours. The body went on to say that the sanctions for repeatedly flouting the rules are inadequate.
Gareth Llewellyn, DVSA chief executive said that the regulatory system was ‘ripe for review’.
Transport companies with vehicles that weigh 3.5 tonnes of more need an operator license, which carries obligations to ensure vehicles are safe, road worthy and regularly inspected.
The DVSA enforces the regulations through roadside spot checks. During 2015, almost 30,000 were checked at the roadside or companies premises, and nearly 9,000 were served with prohibition notices.
Impound Vehicles – Swannells Transport – Haulage Companies in Huntingdon
Depending on how severe the defect, a vehicle is immobilised until repaired or the operator is given a deadline to get it fixed.
The DVSA scores operators on the likelihood their vehicles will be operating, with a green, amber or red rating.
Mr Llewellyn said: “Where we believe there is something of imminent impact for the public, we will impound that vehicle – it is about making sure those things that are really posing a risk to the public are taken out very quickly.”
But Chris Snelling from the Freight Transport Association, said the red list in itself was not an indicator of the industry’s safety record, but of the capability of the DVSA to undertake enforcement.
He went on to say if safety standards across the industry rose, he would anticipate the DVSA would still maintain a red list of 10,000 lower-performing operators.
Swannells Transport – Haulage Companies in Huntingdon
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