More than 120 Slough drivers were stopped for a number of offences during a multi-agency road safety check in Slough yesterday (16/4).
The Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership, together with Thames Valley Police, Slough Borough Council, Trading Standards, a Taxi Licensing Officer and the Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA) carried out the check in the area of Stoke Road, Slough.
The Slough operation lasted from 8.30am to 1pm, and over 120 vehicles were stopped either because the occupants were committing offences, or because vehicles needed to be examined to ensure they were roadworthy.
Once stopped, any offences were dealt with by the police, and the vehicle was then sent to the VOSA team for examination. Trading Standards also questioned the drivers of vehicles with loads to ensure everything was in order.
Twenty-seven vehicles received prohibition notices from VOSA for various vehicle defects, including three that were overweight. There are different levels of prohibition; however, once a prohibition notice has been placed on a vehicle, the driver must repair the defect or submit the vehicle for a full MOT before the prohibition can be removed. These prohibitions are placed on vehicles for road safety reasons and are separate from prosecution.
Sixty-three vehicle Slough occupants were given Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) of £30 for failing to wear their seatbelt.
Twelve drivers were given fixed penalties of £60 and three penalty points for using a mobile phone while driving. These drivers may be offered a Call Divert Course, at a cost of £79.50, in place of the fine and the penalty points. This course can only be completed by a driver once in a three year period.
Four drivers were given fixed penalties for excessive tints on their windows. By law, windscreens must allow 75 per cent of light to pass through, and the front side windows must allow 70 per cent of light to pass through.
A driver will receive a penalty appropriate to the level of tint; this can be a warning, £30 FPN, £60 FPN with 3 points or, if the tint is below 10 per cent, they can be reported for dangerous use of a vehicle and reported to summons for court. The vehicle could also receive a prohibition notice.
Six Slough vehicles were seized from the driver for not having valid insurance or a valid driving license. Once the vehicle has been seized, the driver pays £150 for recovery and £50 a day storage. If the offence is having no insurance, the driver is given a FPN of £200 and six points. Otherwise the matter is dealt with by the courts. The driver can reclaim a seized vehicle once he or she has paid the bill and obtained the correct documentation.
A number of drivers were given a fixed penalty of £30 and reported to DVLA for displaying number plates that do not conform to the regulations.
Drivers need to understand that the number plate is not a fashion accessory and is there so that vehicles can be identified by a number of agencies. Once reported to DVLA for this offence, drivers may find that if they do not rectify the problem, they face having their number plates withdrawn without compensation.
One Slough driver was stopped and arrested for being in possession with intent to supply drugs and this remains an ongoing enquiry.
PC Bob Wade, Road Safety Constable for Berkshire East, said. “It is disappointing that so many drivers were stopped on just one road in one morning.
“It is evident that there are those who wish to put themselves and others in danger on our roads by using defective vehicles, driving without licenses, or any insurance. We will continue to plan these operations to target those who break the rules of the road.”
Thames Valley Police ~ Slough
