Safe Speed Forums

There have been a few mentions of Vehicle and Operator Service Agency vehicles sitting at the side of the road like Police cars. Well, in today's Southampton Echo there is a report that VOSA staff can now stop drivers in Hampshire without the assistance of police officers.

Insector Rowson (Hants Police) said "The additional presence of VOSA marked vehicles on the road is also likely to help influence driver behaviour ....

The function of VOSA is to determine the safety of goods and passenger vehicles but Hugh Edwards from VOSA is quoted as saying "Receiving accreditation from Hampshire Constabulary is a further endorsement of VOSA's role in targetting unsafe vehicles and drivers for enforcement action."

How will they identify unsafe drivers? Is this road policing on the cheap. How are the staff vetted?

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Malcolm W.
The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not represent the views of Safespeed.

We have two separate prganisations operating these black and yellow battenburg marked vehicles. VOSA, which has a responsibility for goods vehicles and passenger vehicles, essentially operating within a commercial market, and the Highways Agency, who are responsible for the roads and call their operatives, would you believe, Traffic Officers.

Whilst VOSA has the power to stop vehicles, most of their activities will consist of 'Follow Me' or 'Next Layby' type of instructions.

On the other hand, Traffic Officers, do not yet have the power to stop vehicles, but elsewhere it has been noted that legislation in preparation has been amended to read "A Constable or Traffic Officer............."

The matter is currently subject of discussion on THIS FORUM.

Clarkson mentioned this some months ago. - he made comments on the age/experience of the staff and the vehicles to be used.

Quite honestly if you were involved in an incident on the motorway - who would you like to see - a traffic cop or one of blunkets mobile bouncers?

What has bothered me is that Highways Agency vehicles are now taking up the positions in patrol spots vacated by Police patrols. (certainly around the bottom end of the m6)

With the use of speed guns etc by "villagers" --what other "safety
equipment " do this lot carry??

Any BIB care to comment?