VOSA Traffic Enforcement Vehicles
Discussion
esselte said:
plasticpig said:
I ovetook one of these this morning and the bloke swiched on his light bar after I had overtaken him. I have just been told by a colleague that VOSA now have the same powers ot stop that the ploice have and I should have stopped. Is this correct?
No,don't think so.
They might have appreciated you stopping to provide some feedback for their quality management system
Ok I thought I was being wound up! But apparently not:
From:
www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/carlgvowners/vosaroadsidechecks/vosanowhavethepowertostopmotorists.htm
What are VOSA’s legal powers?
Police have, for many years now, been supporting VOSA examiners by stopping vehicles for spot checks to ensure vehicles comply with roadworthiness and road traffic legislation. The Police Reform Act 2002 allows Chief Officers’ to accredit other persons or organisations to stop vehicles. VOSA’s accreditation, backed up by specialist training, enables its staff to stop vehicles without a policeman in support, and enables the Police to concentrate on their other priorities including road casualty reduction and tackling crime and disorder. Subject to Chief Officers’ agreement, VOSA’s powers will gradually be rolled out throughout England & Wales.
Why will VOSA be stopping motorists?
There are a number of reasons why we will be stopping motorists in checks across England and Wales. These checks will be focussed on vehicle maintenance and safety, exhaust emissions and, an increasingly common safety concern, excessively tinted windscreens and side windows.
Vehicle Maintenance and Safety
Everyone who uses a vehicle on the road is required to keep it in a roadworthy condition. This is in the interests of road safety and environmental protection.
The fuel system, seat belts, steering, mirrors, brakes, tyres and lights can all be checked to ensure they meet current legal requirements.
Exhaust Emissions Checks
One of the most important ways to protect the environment is to ensure that a vehicle meets exhaust emissions requirements for its age and class. Polluting vehicles, which fail this test, will be removed from the road. Emissions tests are carried out using equipment similar to that used in MOT garages.
Tinted Windows
Excessively tinted windows restrict the driver’s vision, especially in dark conditions and may prevent drivers from seeing other road users and pedestrians.
For motor vehicles first registered before 1 April 1985 the windscreen and front side windows must allow at least 70% of light to be transmitted through them.
For motor vehicles first registered on or after 1 April 1985 the light transmitted through the windscreen must be at least 75% while the side windows must transmit at least 70%.
From:
www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/carlgvowners/vosaroadsidechecks/vosanowhavethepowertostopmotorists.htm
What are VOSA’s legal powers?
Police have, for many years now, been supporting VOSA examiners by stopping vehicles for spot checks to ensure vehicles comply with roadworthiness and road traffic legislation. The Police Reform Act 2002 allows Chief Officers’ to accredit other persons or organisations to stop vehicles. VOSA’s accreditation, backed up by specialist training, enables its staff to stop vehicles without a policeman in support, and enables the Police to concentrate on their other priorities including road casualty reduction and tackling crime and disorder. Subject to Chief Officers’ agreement, VOSA’s powers will gradually be rolled out throughout England & Wales.
Why will VOSA be stopping motorists?
There are a number of reasons why we will be stopping motorists in checks across England and Wales. These checks will be focussed on vehicle maintenance and safety, exhaust emissions and, an increasingly common safety concern, excessively tinted windscreens and side windows.
Vehicle Maintenance and Safety
Everyone who uses a vehicle on the road is required to keep it in a roadworthy condition. This is in the interests of road safety and environmental protection.
The fuel system, seat belts, steering, mirrors, brakes, tyres and lights can all be checked to ensure they meet current legal requirements.
Exhaust Emissions Checks
One of the most important ways to protect the environment is to ensure that a vehicle meets exhaust emissions requirements for its age and class. Polluting vehicles, which fail this test, will be removed from the road. Emissions tests are carried out using equipment similar to that used in MOT garages.
Tinted Windows
Excessively tinted windows restrict the driver’s vision, especially in dark conditions and may prevent drivers from seeing other road users and pedestrians.
For motor vehicles first registered before 1 April 1985 the windscreen and front side windows must allow at least 70% of light to be transmitted through them.
For motor vehicles first registered on or after 1 April 1985 the light transmitted through the windscreen must be at least 75% while the side windows must transmit at least 70%.
vosa gov uk said:
enables the Police to concentrate on their other priorities including road casualty reduction
Not the public's priorities then. In surveys this is usually last but one in the public's list of priorities for the police, one up from wiping noses. Dorsetpol Online Poll said:
OPINION POLL RESULTS
The priorities for the police:
1. Tackling Youth Crime
2. Drug Related Crime
3. Tackling violent crime
4. Working with other agencies to improve community safety
5. Responding to emergency calls
6. Tackling burglary of peoples homes
7. Tackling motor vehicle crime
8. Policing ethnic communities
9. Promote and improve road safety
10. Improved service to victims of crime
Whatever happened to deterring and detecting crime as the fundamental police role and priorities? Tricky stuff shoved out and replaced by nu labia social b0ll0x.
plasticpig
I guess this was a Galaxy, black/yellow battenburg, orange light bar, Traffic Enforcement in red on the rear bumper?
If so, yes VOSA, yes powers to stop as mentioned above. Usually at a roadside check but no reason why not a moving stop afaik. The VOSA mob are decent guys btw, not wannabees as many have actually been bees, if you see what I mean.
Any technical reason why a request to stop should have been issued? Being honest with yourself about it?
I guess this was a Galaxy, black/yellow battenburg, orange light bar, Traffic Enforcement in red on the rear bumper?
If so, yes VOSA, yes powers to stop as mentioned above. Usually at a roadside check but no reason why not a moving stop afaik. The VOSA mob are decent guys btw, not wannabees as many have actually been bees, if you see what I mean.
Any technical reason why a request to stop should have been issued? Being honest with yourself about it?
Flat in Fifth said:
plasticpig
I guess this was a Galaxy, black/yellow battenburg, orange light bar, Traffic Enforcement in red on the rear bumper?
If so, yes VOSA, yes powers to stop as mentioned above. Usually at a roadside check but no reason why not a moving stop afaik. The VOSA mob are decent guys btw, not wannabees as many have actually been bees, if you see what I mean.
Any technical reason why a request to stop should have been issued? Being honest with yourself about it?
I guess this was a Galaxy, black/yellow battenburg, orange light bar, Traffic Enforcement in red on the rear bumper?
If so, yes VOSA, yes powers to stop as mentioned above. Usually at a roadside check but no reason why not a moving stop afaik. The VOSA mob are decent guys btw, not wannabees as many have actually been bees, if you see what I mean.
Any technical reason why a request to stop should have been issued? Being honest with yourself about it?
Yes it was battenburg Galaxy.
As for technical reasons I was driving my BMW 628i. It is a bit of a shed. If he spotted it he probably wouldnt have liked the gaffer taped near side wing mirror or the loud exhaust which while perfectly secure dosent look like it is
I didnt see his light bar on for long as I was making good progress on a bendy road. plasticpig said:
Yes it was battenburg Galaxy.
As for technical reasons I was driving my BMW 628i. It is a bit of a shed. If he spotted it he probably wouldnt have liked the gaffer taped near side wing mirror or the loud exhaust which while perfectly secure dosent look like it is
I didnt see his light bar on for long as I was making good progress on a bendy road. Probably just warning following motorists that there was a BMW driver ahead
MilnerR said:
plasticpig said:
Yes it was battenburg Galaxy.
As for technical reasons I was driving my BMW 628i. It is a bit of a shed. If he spotted it he probably wouldnt have liked the gaffer taped near side wing mirror or the loud exhaust which while perfectly secure dosent look like it is
I didnt see his light bar on for long as I was making good progress on a bendy road. Probably just warning following motorists that there was a BMW driver ahead
plasticpig said:
Flat in Fifth said:
plasticpig
I guess this was a Galaxy, black/yellow battenburg, orange light bar, Traffic Enforcement in red on the rear bumper?
If so, yes VOSA, yes powers to stop as mentioned above. Usually at a roadside check but no reason why not a moving stop afaik. The VOSA mob are decent guys btw, not wannabees as many have actually been bees, if you see what I mean.
Any technical reason why a request to stop should have been issued? Being honest with yourself about it?
I guess this was a Galaxy, black/yellow battenburg, orange light bar, Traffic Enforcement in red on the rear bumper?
If so, yes VOSA, yes powers to stop as mentioned above. Usually at a roadside check but no reason why not a moving stop afaik. The VOSA mob are decent guys btw, not wannabees as many have actually been bees, if you see what I mean.
Any technical reason why a request to stop should have been issued? Being honest with yourself about it?
Yes it was battenburg Galaxy.
As for technical reasons I was driving my BMW 628i. It is a bit of a shed. If he spotted it he probably wouldnt have liked the gaffer taped near side wing mirror or the loud exhaust which while perfectly secure dosent look like it is
I didnt see his light bar on for long as I was making good progress on a bendy road. What does'tha fink DVD, FiF nose for it still twitching up to usual standards.
Bit worried on this one because as stated Police Reform Act now empowers VOSA to stop.
But this power as far as I understood was for the purpose of these road side checks that they do and pre 2002 had to have a Plod present to direct them in and stop. These checks as far as I am aware are now fully signed and person directed daylgo'd so there is no confusion.
Toottalling (?) along in VOSA vehicle unless it is clearly livered as such and has blue light/STOP, then I would say strong argument to contest a charge of failing to stop.Never heard of them going mobile hunting for trade as their bag is full from a roadside.
dvd
But this power as far as I understood was for the purpose of these road side checks that they do and pre 2002 had to have a Plod present to direct them in and stop. These checks as far as I am aware are now fully signed and person directed daylgo'd so there is no confusion.
Toottalling (?) along in VOSA vehicle unless it is clearly livered as such and has blue light/STOP, then I would say strong argument to contest a charge of failing to stop.Never heard of them going mobile hunting for trade as their bag is full from a roadside.
dvd
Dwight VanDriver said:
Bit worried on this one because as stated Police Reform Act now empowers VOSA to stop.
But this power as far as I understood was for the purpose of these road side checks that they do and pre 2002 had to have a Plod present to direct them in and stop. These checks as far as I am aware are now fully signed and person directed daylgo'd so there is no confusion.
Toottalling (?) along in VOSA vehicle unless it is clearly livered as such and has blue light/STOP, then I would say strong argument to contest a charge of failing to stop.Never heard of them going mobile hunting for trade as their bag is full from a roadside.
dvd
But this power as far as I understood was for the purpose of these road side checks that they do and pre 2002 had to have a Plod present to direct them in and stop. These checks as far as I am aware are now fully signed and person directed daylgo'd so there is no confusion.
Toottalling (?) along in VOSA vehicle unless it is clearly livered as such and has blue light/STOP, then I would say strong argument to contest a charge of failing to stop.Never heard of them going mobile hunting for trade as their bag is full from a roadside.
dvd
All this fits in neatly with another thread a while ago asking how are we to know what is legal and what is not?W£ith so many new laws and so many changes to existing ones it's becoming impossible to sort the wheat from the chaff if you get my drift.
plasticpig said:
I ovetook one of these this morning and the bloke swiched on his light bar after I had overtaken him. I have just been told by a colleague that VOSA now have the same powers ot stop that the ploice have and I should have stopped. Is this correct?
If it was a police car that you had overtaken and he switched on his blue lights, would you just stop, I wouldn't. They would either pull behind and also flash their headlights and gesticulate at you to stop or pull alongside and stop you.
The light bar being switched on could have been for anything, unless he was in hot pursuit of you I wouldn't worry.
Dwight VanDriver said:
These checks as far as I am aware are now fully signed and person directed daylgo'd so there is no confusion.
I'd agree, never seen a VOSA stop check that was not set up, raodside sign "vehicle check ahead - stop if requested", Galaxy prominently parked, VOSA bod in uniform with dayglo jacket not forgetting incl white top cap.
That situation is crystal clear.
It all gets very muddy otherwise imho.
Sounds to me like VOSA thought "aye aye pressing on along a bendy road in a shed." Not my words by the way, those of OP.
TPS said:
They can pull you over whilst driving along the road.They will put on the light bar and a sign on the light bar will say follow me.
They will then lead you to a place of safety to be checked.
It is an offence not to do this if they ask you.
Don't they need to be in front first? Could be tricky, seldom used I bet.They will then lead you to a place of safety to be checked.
It is an offence not to do this if they ask you.
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