Examination of Witnesses (Questions 60-64)
DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORT AND
DVLA
23 APRIL 2008
Q60 Chairman: All right. I do not
have any further questions. Mr Shanahan, how can we have any confidence
in your enforcement abilities now, when you apparently do not
know the size of the problem? We have got wildly conflicting estimates.
Mr Shanahan: We have the results
from the survey but, in addition to that, we put our own ANPR
cameras in place, so I will now have a monthly number. It is raw.
It is basically looking at vehicles that are in traffic. I will
be able to calculate a percentage from that that identifies those
that are not taxed and use that number monthly and use that to
dictate what levers we have on enforcement—wheel clampers,
ANPR cameras, debt collections. So I am going to use those numbers
monthly to help indicate where I should put my focus.
Chairman: I have no further questions.
I think Mr Mitchell might have a question.
Q61 Mr Mitchell: Just to return to
motorbikes, why is it so difficult to read motorbikes?
Dr Hickey: Because motorbike number
plates are on the back and the traditional cameras are forward
facing.
Q62 Mr Mitchell: Does that mean that
if I want to escape speed camera fines I should buy a motorbike?
Dr Hickey: I would not wish to
advise you on how to escape any fine.
Q63 Mr Mitchell: I would evade them
on a motorbike.
Dr Hickey: ANPR cameras traditionally
have been looking at front number plates, so it is more difficult
to use cameras in relation to motorbikes. That is beginning to
change now. DVLA now has technology with cameras which look at
rear numbers as well, so we are beginning to use cameras in relation
to motor cycles as well but that is just coming in now.
Q64 Mr Mitchell: Speed cameras do
show everything, because my wife has several very fetching portraits
of herself from various police forces around the country. Just
one more question. Are we ever going to get accurate estimates
for motorbikes? It sounds like an impossible situation.
Dr Hickey: It is a very big subject.
As I say, we are clearly trying to improve it. It is worth saying
that there is a significant margin of error flagged in the publication
as well. We know that there is a margin of error but we continue
to try and improve the quality of the service.
Chairman: That concludes our hearing
on this event. Clearly, the effectiveness of Parliamentary scrutiny
has been seriously compromised and we do not expect it to happen
again, Dr Hickey. Thank you.
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