Legal News

A new joint enforcement partnership aims to reduce the number of unsafe lorry drivers and operators in London.

From Tuesday 13 October, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will take part in the new joint enforcement partnership.

The London Freight Enforcement partnership is made up of officers from the:
DVSA, Transport for London (TfL), the Metropolitan Police Service and the City of London Police, who will carry out joint intelligence-led operations in the capital, including roadside checks on vehicles.

The police and DVSA have the power to carry out spot checks on commercial vehicles to keep unsafe vehicles off the road. The officers check that the driver and vehicle aren’t breaking any rules and regulations – and they have the power to issue a prohibition – which stops the driver from driving until they get a problem with their vehicle fixed – as well as fixed penalties if the driver commits an offence.

The joint initiative builds on the success of the HGV Task Force set up in October 2013 to reduce the number of cyclist fatalities caused by heavy goods vehicles.

Figures showed that 53% of cyclist fatalities in London between 2008 and 2013 involved direct contact with an HGV.

The task force is made up of officers from the same organisations as the new London Freight Enforcement partnership.

The HGV Task Force is jointly funded by TfL and the Department for Transport and over the last two years, the task force has targeted and stopped more than 6,030 vehicles, seized 87 vehicles – and referred 4,500 cases for prosecution.

In March 2015, the task force was also recognised as the first permanent multi-agency team dedicated to targeting offences by the most dangerous commercial vehicles. The task force was awarded with the Worshipful Company of Carmen’s Royal Logistic Corps Safety Award for 2014.

Transport Minister, Lord Ahmad, said:

“The London Freight Enforcement Partnership builds on the success of the Industrial HGV Task Force. By working together, officers from different agencies will use their experience and knowledge to deter and detect illegal activity by freight operators and drivers.

“The government is committed to improving road safety and innovative initiatives such as this help to keep the capital’s roads safe.”

TfL’s Managing Director of Surface Transport, Leon Daniels, said:

“We’re determined to clear London’s streets of unsafe HGVs, so I’m delighted that we have launched the London Freight Enforcement Partnership.

“The lessons learned from our successful Industrial HGV Task Force have been adopted by the new partnership, which will make our streets even safer for all road users and help build a fairer industry for all freight operators.”

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors – Motoring Offences

Duncan Lewis can advise at any stage of a motoring offence, including charges relating to unsafe or poorly maintained HGVs.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and our motoring offence solicitors can also advise on charges relating to:

• Careless, dangerous or reckless driving
• Causing death by dangerous driving
• Driving without insurance or a licence
• DUI
• Failing to report an accident (hit and run)
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Road rage incidents
• Speeding offences
• Stolen vehicles.

For expert legal advice on motoring offences call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036.