RHA supports DVSA clampdown on emissions cheats
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The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced that more than 100 haulage operators were found to have lorries fitted with emissions cheat devices at roadside checks between August and November 2017.
They searched 3,735 HGVs across five locations, where 293 were found to be fitted with equipment which can give false emissions readings. Drivers and operators were given 10 days to fix their emissions system, or face a £300 fine and the prospect of their vehicle being taken off the road.
Hauliers who flout the law are not only damaging air quality, but harm the reputation of the haulage sector.
“We’re very clear that it’s completely unacceptable to falsify emissions readings,” said RHA chief executive Richard Burnett. “The industry is making great strides in helping reduce harmful toxins through the adoption greener vehicles and technologies, so we take a very dim view of the few who use emulators and other methods to cheat the system.”
The Traffic Commissioners of Great Britain have the power to take away an operator’s licence so it’s not worth the risk.
“For the short-term savings a haulier may enjoy by illegally modifying their lorry, in the long-term it would cost them a lot more if they lost their O licence,” continues Richard. “So we hope this news deters others from following suit.
“Our message to the vast majority of hauliers who operate responsibly is that we fully support DVSA’s enforcement action and welcome further clamp downs on rogue operators.”
In March 2017, the RHA echoed calls from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, for the European Commission (EC) and national governments to take action against suppliers and users of devices that bypass emission control systems on trucks. We’re disappointed however that they’re still easily available online. We reiterate the message to the EC and governments that they need to address this issue urgently and make it difficult for would-be cheats to have the means to falsify readings.
