Inspector concerned about condition of vehicles on roads

Sunday 24 December 2017

The Inspector of Motor Traffic is urging islanders to check the condition of their vehicles, especially their lights, before they hit the roads after 336 defective vehicles were controlled during the year as part of routine road checks.

Defective lights were the most common faults officers noticed with 236 of the vehicles of the 10,654 stopped not adequately equipped/

10,654 vehicles went through the checks, undertaken jointly by Driver and Vehicle Standards (DVS) in conjunction with the States of Jersey Police, Customs and Excise and the Honorary Police from the 12 parishes, in 2017. 

The owners of 336 vehicles were issued defect notices instructing them to rectify the faults and to represent the vehicle to DVS within seven days. Defects included tyres, bodywork and engine oil leaks. 

11 vehicles were impounded to DVS for further inspection which resulted in the vehicles being scrapped and the owners being charged and asked to attend a Parish Hall inquiry and then submitted to the Police court.

Pictured: The breakdown of the defects noticed by police officers.

The Inspector of Motor Traffic, Gordon Forrest, commented: “I am seriously concerned that some drivers are prepared to drive a defective vehicle, putting themselves and other road users at risk. It only takes five minutes to check on things like lights, worn tyres, corroded bodywork, windscreen washer and wipers. Any defect is the responsibility of the owner or the driver of the vehicle. Failing to carry out these basic checks could result in the vehicles being impounded and possible prosecution.”