An extra £2million a year will be dedicated to the Government's ongoing drive to enforce road safety law for hauliers, focusing particularly on those undertaking international journeys, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly announced today.

This will be funded from new measures, planned for introduction next year, which allow inspectors from the Vehicle Operator and Service Agency (VOSA) and the Police to collect on-the-spot penalties from drivers suspected of an offence without a valid British address. VOSA inspectors will also gain the power to issue fixed penalty notices at this time.

Ruth Kelly said:

"This £2m is about making our roads safer and levelling the field across Europe. It will provide a powerful boost to VOSA's enforcement efforts, particularly against drivers who think they can get away with breaking the rules of the road because they do not live in Britain."

It was also announced that DfT will publish a progress report on other ways of delivering more targeted enforcement on foreign vehicles alongside the Pre-Budget Report. This will look at a database covering all foreign hauliers entering and working in the UK. One option under strong consideration is a 'vignette' - a time-based charge for the use of UK roads designed to ensure foreign hauliers help pay for the wear and tear inflicted by their vehicles.