Foreign truckers who drive tired will be given on-the-spot fines under proposals put out for consultation earlier this week (16 June).
At present all hauliers who drive for longer than the law allows risk a fine, but penalising truckers without a valid UK home address is harder because they cannot be issued with a court summons.
The consultation will look at proposals to give enforcement officers the option of giving truck drivers an on-the-spot fine instead of taking them to court.
The proposals – which would mean officers could issue a penalty for offences committed up to 28 days after an offence – would also allow enforcement of the new HGV road user levy for similar periods. The levy was introduced earlier this year to ensure foreign hauliers make a contribution towards UK revenue.
Stephen Hammond, roads minister, said: “The option to issue a fine for this offence would provide an effective weapon in the fight against irresponsible driving by both foreign and UK drivers.
“This and the fact we introduced the new HGV levy earlier this year shows we are determined to ensure UK drivers and their foreign competitors are on a level playing field.”
The consultation runs until 11 August.
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