Is your car road worthy?

Monday 24 April 2017

Following numerous failures during a routine road test last week, Islanders are being encouraged to check their vehicles are legally safe.

In a statement released by the Department of Infrastructure, drivers are being warned that it is their responsibility to ensure that their vehicles are in a road worthy condition.

The Deputy Inspector of Motor Traffic, Chris Le Maistre, expressed concern that drivers were not carrying out basic safety checks on their vehicles.

He stated: “It is the responsibility of all drivers to ensure that their vehicles are in a road worthy condition”.

During a road check on the morning of 20 April at Long Beach Car Park, a total of 339 vehicles passed through the check.

18 of the vehicles examined were found to have defects and the drivers were issued with notices requiring them to present their vehicles at DVS within seven days with the defects rectified.

The defect notices were for various defects, however 12 of the vehicles were found to have either broken light lenses or inoperative lights and stop lights. There were also a number of tyre defects found, including one tyre which was extremely under inflated.  

One driver was also given words of advice regarding the way in which his vehicle was loaded and the type of load securing straps being used.  

Mr Le Maistre also commented on the importance of making sure that tyres are inflated to the correct pressure and regularly checked. Not only is it a legal requirement, driving with defective, underinflated or worn tyres is a risk to other road users, the drivers themselves and any passengers they may be carrying.

The combined operation between Driver and Vehicle Standards, Honorary and States of Jersey Police together with Customs and Immigration will continue at various sites throughout all parishes over the coming months.