Police plan to get cars up to scratch

Wednesday 07 May 2014

The Police hope their new scheme which could give drivers a week’s grace to get their faulty cars fixed will drive down the number of dangerous cars on Jersey’s roads.

Under the Vehicle Defect Rectification scheme officers can decide whether to give drivers who are stopped seven days to rectify minor faults to their vehicles or fine them on the spot.

Acting Inspector Paul Smith said: “With the scheme launching this week we would ask everyone to check their vehicles and ensure that they are in a suitable condition. It is your responsibility to ensure that your vehicle is up to scratch, as well as your registration document and driving licence address being up-to-date.

“This scheme gives officers the ability to warn people of defects and ensure they are fixed, rather than giving them words of advice and hoping they take notice, or alternatively charging them with an offence immediately.

“Defects which fall under this scheme are absolute offences, meaning the driver is guilty of the offence even if they are unaware of the fault.

“There are a lot of cars on our roads with defects and we need to ensure that these are addressed, for the safety of road users.

“For those cars that are clearly dangerous, or where it is clear that the driver is aware of the fault but has chosen not to address it, they will still be prosecuted.

The Police are also urging people using work cars to check the vehicles properly before driving them as both they and the vehicle owner could face prosecution if there is something wrong with them.

They suggest drivers ask a friend to help them check that things like the lights are in working order before they get on the road.