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Tuesday, 24 September, 2002, 06:02 GMT 07:02 UK
Road tax cheats targeted
The 'stingray' cameras will operate at the roadside
Motorists in Wales who drive vehicles without paying road tax will not be safe from detection in future.
From next month, the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in Swansea is launching a network of 'Stingray' cameras around the country which can spot untaxed cars and lorries on the move.
It is hoped the initiative will help recover the estimated £8.8m lost just last year to road tax-dodgers in Wales. According to the DVLA, there are currently around 81,000 unlicensed vehicles in Wales, the majority of them in the more built-up areas in the south. "We are taking a hard line and stepping up our enforcement activity by introducing the stingray cameras in a determined effort to clamp down on this irresponsible group who evade paying their road tax," said Terry Barnard, head of enforcement at the DVLA. "Honest motorists are infuriated at having to subsidise road tax cheats and it is a constant source of resentment." The cameras, which can read the number plates of vehicles travelling at up to 100 miles per hour, were first introduced in England a year ago. They are also in operation in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Store electronically The DVLA is running the scheme in conjunction with all four Welsh police forces. The cameras will operate from lay-bys and over bridges, reading the number plates of passing vehicles. Technology then allows officers to check the numbers against DVLA records and store electronically the numbers of those found unlicensed. Unlike speed safety cameras, the 'stingray' cameras are visible to passing motorists. "They do not run out of film, they are portable and will be used all over Wales," said Mr Barnard. Offenders will face fines of up to £1,000 for a car or motorbike, and up to £23,000 for a heavy goods vehicle.
So far, 99,000 vehicles having been targeted and 51,000 of them have been disposed of by crushing. New regulations will also come into force for wheel-clamped vehicles which reduces the time clamped vehicles are kept in storage from 35 to 14 days. After that time, unclaimed vehicles will be crushed. As well as the new cameras, extra DVLA wheelclamping units and police roadside checks will be in operation.
Will you be caught by the new Stingray cameras? Or do you think its time for car tax dodgers to be caught on film? Send us your views |
See also:
16 Jan 02Â |Â N Ireland
11 Oct 01Â |Â UK
28 Jul 00Â |Â UK
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20 Jul 00Â |Â Politics
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