If VOSA doesn't interpret the law correctly I think you would have a very good case against them
……being pragmatic, you have to remember that VOSA is the authority that deals with a wide range of vehicle safety requirements.
They rely on highly trained inspectors who believe me can tell with a quick glance if something does not look quite right.
If a quick look at the axle weights and the vehicle plates show weights to be marginal they may well check the nose weight of a caravan.
They also know they are dealing with a private motorist and will almost certainly give advice and a warning over marginal weight infringements.
They know that nose weight can be corrected by redistribution of weight within the caravan and that overall weight can most likely be off loaded to the tow car.
They will insist this is done before allowing you to continue your journey after chastising you the driver.
Turn up with towbar / hitch, tyres, road lighting or brakes with serious defects and they will liase with the police who would quite likely prosecute you without a second thought!
Serious and blatant overloading of an axle will be treated in the same way.
They also have the power to issue a PG9 which prohibits any further use of the vehicle until the defect has been corrected and inspected.
They rely on highly trained inspectors who believe me can tell with a quick glance if something does not look quite right.
If a quick look at the axle weights and the vehicle plates show weights to be marginal they may well check the nose weight of a caravan.
They also know they are dealing with a private motorist and will almost certainly give advice and a warning over marginal weight infringements.
They know that nose weight can be corrected by redistribution of weight within the caravan and that overall weight can most likely be off loaded to the tow car.
They will insist this is done before allowing you to continue your journey after chastising you the driver.
Turn up with towbar / hitch, tyres, road lighting or brakes with serious defects and they will liase with the police who would quite likely prosecute you without a second thought!
Serious and blatant overloading of an axle will be treated in the same way.
They also have the power to issue a PG9 which prohibits any further use of the vehicle until the defect has been corrected and inspected.
I'd go along with that, too.
The powers-that-be are normally quite reasonable so long as you treat them with a certain amount of respect.
The powers-that-be are normally quite reasonable so long as you treat them with a certain amount of respect.
Hello Surfer,
You are deflecting the question. What evidence do you have that supports your allegation that VOSA will not or do not follow the letter of towing regulations?
Note I did not use the word LAW.
It is the case that regulations are not technically laws until proven in the courts, but they are used and applied as if the law until the regulation is challenged and a court satisfies its self that a particular regulation is not sustainable.
The act of parliament that ratifies any EU directive automatically converts it to a regulation and places a duty on the government agencies charged with enforcing or monitoring the subject to follow the regulation to the letter. If it is believed that the agency is misinterpreting a regulation, then ultimately it requires the agencies position/methodology to be tested in court.
If teh courts find that a regulation or its interpretation is flawed, its then beholden on the Govt to correct the issue - either the agencies methods will be changed or the government will consider amendments to the regulations.
If you seriously believe that VOSA do not follow the UK regulations, then you should take them to court.
In all of this there can be some instances of human error, but I have never come across a VOSA inspector who was less than professional.
You are deflecting the question. What evidence do you have that supports your allegation that VOSA will not or do not follow the letter of towing regulations?
Note I did not use the word LAW.
It is the case that regulations are not technically laws until proven in the courts, but they are used and applied as if the law until the regulation is challenged and a court satisfies its self that a particular regulation is not sustainable.
The act of parliament that ratifies any EU directive automatically converts it to a regulation and places a duty on the government agencies charged with enforcing or monitoring the subject to follow the regulation to the letter. If it is believed that the agency is misinterpreting a regulation, then ultimately it requires the agencies position/methodology to be tested in court.
If teh courts find that a regulation or its interpretation is flawed, its then beholden on the Govt to correct the issue - either the agencies methods will be changed or the government will consider amendments to the regulations.
If you seriously believe that VOSA do not follow the UK regulations, then you should take them to court.
In all of this there can be some instances of human error, but I have never come across a VOSA inspector who was less than professional.
John I think your grasp of the English language is lacking as it seems you have twisted every thing around to suit your own agenda.Prof John L said:
Well surfer,
To avoid any further misunderstandings simply tell us why you think VOSA and the Police will not follow the letter of the regulations?
To avoid any further misunderstandings simply tell us why you think VOSA and the Police will not follow the letter of the regulations?
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