NO EXCEPTIONS, NO EXCUSES AND NO ESCAPE FOR ROAD TAX CHEATS

11 June 2000
NO EXCEPTIONS, NO EXCUSES AND NO ESCAPE FOR ROAD TAX CHEATS
Motorists throughout Northern Ireland who do not license their vehicles will be targeted in a new campaign to recover the millions of pounds lost each year in Vehicle Excise Duty evasion.

Parliamentary Under Secretary for State, Angela Smith, today announced the launch of a joint campaign with DOE’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland (DVLNI) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in a clampdown against road tax dodgers and motorists committing other offences.

Angela Smith said:"Northern Ireland loses Ł13 million in revenue every year due to car tax cheats. Honest motorists are fed up with the small hard core who continually evade paying their road tax and meeting their other obligations. It is not fair on the honest motorist that they should subsidise evaders. We are determined to target this irresponsible group of motorists by bringing in additional DVLNI wheel clamping and Stingray camera units from 23 June. They will be used to target only those who evade paying their road tax. Law abiding motorists have nothing to fear."

The campaign will be launched at 10.30am on Wednesday 11 June 2003 in the Odyssey Complex, Belfast. The famous film car "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" is central to the campaign and is available for photographs. But as it is unlicensed it will not be available for a drive!
NOTES TO EDITORS:

Stingray mobile camera units detect unlicensed vehicles that are on the move. They can read the number plates of passing vehicles, check them immediately against DVLNI records, and store electronically the images of those found to be unlicensed. These cameras act as a powerful deterrent to those who may consider risking driving whilst unlicensed.

A roadside survey of unlicensed vehicles in Northern Ireland conducted in June 2002 revealed that Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) evasion was equivalent to 10% of the revenue that should be raised. This equates to a loss of revenue of Ł13m.

The enforcement action of the police and DVLNI against road tax dodgers also makes a significant contribution to road safety. About a third of motorists reported for evasion of VED are committing other offences – including no MoT certificate, no insurance and defective tyres.

Further information contact Paddy Murphy DOE Press Office tel 02890 540014 paddy.murphy@doeni.gov.uk/ 07884 362628.

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