Tougher Safety Checks On Foreign HGV’s

An extra £24 million has been allocated by the Department for Transport (DFT) in an effort to improve the safety of international trucks entering the UK.

As part of the initiative, goods vehicles crossing Britain’s borders will now face more stringent safety checks.

The £24m will fund a 50% increase in the number of HGV checks and also allow the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to open two new enforcement sites.

DFT figures show that HGVs from overseas are more likely to be unroadworthy, overloaded or being driven in excess of drivers’ hours rules than their UK counterparts.

Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said “We are determined to clamp down on unsafe trucks. More inspectors undertaking more checks at more sites will make our roads safer for everyone”.

Additional penalty regimes will also be introduced including fixed penalties, on-the-spot fines and seizing foreign HGVs.