Over 1,000 vehicles clamped in new year crackdown
Wednesday, 8 April 2009Over 1,000 untaxed vehicles were clamped across Northern Ireland in a New Year operation, it was revealed today.
Environment Minister Sammy Wilson revealed a total of 1,074 unlicensed vehicles were removed from the roads during ‘Operation Evader’ which was jointly run by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) and the PSNI.
The joint operation against vehicles untaxed for more than 28 days, ran during January and February.
The Minister said: “I would like to commend all those involved in this operation to remove untaxed vehicles from our roads. Unlicensed vehicles are a menace. Many are unroadworthy and they present a real danger to all road users and pedestrians.
“By taking them off our roads, we are making Northern Ireland safer for everyone. The success of Operation Evader shows just how determined the authorities are to tackle the problem and we will continue to fight it.”
DVA Chief Executive, Mr Magee said the authorities owed it to law abiding citizens who pay their motor tax to remove the vehicles of those who will not.
He said: “The recent rise in the rate of evasion of motor tax in Northern Ireland from 2.3% in 2007 to 2.6% in 2008, has highlighted the continuing problem of a small, hard core of offenders determined to try to avoid payment.
“In spite of our success in driving down the rate of evasion from 10% in 2002, motor tax evasion is now over 3.5 times higher than in the rest of the UK.
“It’s not just about collecting the tax due. Very often the vehicles detected with no tax also have no insurance or no current test certificate and are, therefore, potentially unroadworthy.
“The overwhelming majority of motorists pay their tax and keep their vehicles roadworthy and insured. It is only fair that we do all that we can to catch the small minority who are determined to act irresponsibly.”
Inspector Gary McComb, PSNI Roads Policing said: "Untaxed and unregistered vehicles are difficult to trace and are often used by criminals, uninsured and unlicensed drivers who engage in erratic and dangerous driving. For everyone’s safety, it is essential that we detect and remove these vehicles and drivers from our roads.
“Police now also have the power to seize uninsured vehicles and vehicles causing alarm, distress or annoyance. Our message is very clear. If you are detected driving an untaxed or uninsured vehicle on the road, the vehicle can be seized on the spot and you will face the full rigour of the law.”
Under legislation enacted last October, the DVA was given increased powers including the clamping and removal of vehicles in any public place such as car parks and unadopted roads.
Mr Magee reminded all motorists to ensure their vehicles are taxed before taking them out on the road or parking them in a public place.
He also urged all road users to check their vehicles are insured and tested as part of the licensing process.
The DVA Chief Executive concluded: “With enforcement action taking place across Northern Ireland and with all areas being targeted, the combined effort of DVA’s wheelclamping contractor, NCP Services and PSNI will ensure there will be no hiding place for unlicensed vehicles.”
Notes to Editors:
1. The breakdown of vehicles clamped is as follows: District North & West Belfast - 246 District, South / East Belfast - 97 District incorporating North & South Down - 104 District Belfast, Lisburn - 114 District Newry, Portadown - 132 District incorporating Omagh,Enniskillen, Irvinestown and Moy - 123 District incorporating Coleraine, Ballymoney, Ballymena, Moyle and Larne - 77 District Londonderry, Strabane - 181
2. Enforcement action can be taken against an unlicensed vehicle after 14 days, however, vehicles will not be clamped until 28 days have lapsed from the date of expiry of the last licence. Owners of clamped vehicles must pay £260 before they are released or £100 along with production of a valid tax disc. Recovered vehicles which are not claimed within 7 days may be crushed.
3. Clamped vehicles are only returned to keepers on production of evidence of ownership and relevant identity documents. Keepers who have never licensed their vehicle are also required to become the registered keeper of the vehicle before release.
4. Additional enforcement action is also taken against the keeper for unpaid tax right back to the expiry of the last tax disc.
5. The 2008 Roadside Survey revealed that the level of evasion in traffic in Northern Ireland had risen from 2.3% in 2007 to 2.6%.This compares with a rate of only 0.7% in GB.
6. In October 2008 the Finance Act 2008 extended the enforcement powers available to DVA allowing unlicensed vehicles to be clamped in areas considered to be public places. Vehicles kept on private property to which the public have no access or on property associated with a dwelling are not subject to enforcement action. However, it is an offence not to have a current tax disc for any vehicle unless the keeper has a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) declaration in place.
7. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office tel. 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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