Road Safety Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 169:"After Clause 43, insert the following new clause—"    ““PROOF NECESSARY TO DRIVE HGV ON RESTRICTED ROAD    After section 19 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (c. 52) (prohibition of parking of HGVs on verges, central reservations and footways) insert—    ““19A PROOF NECESSARY TO DRIVE HGV ON RESTRICTED ROAD    A person shall not drive a heavy commercial vehicle (as defined in section 20 of this Act) on a restricted road (as defined in section 82 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984) unless he has documentary proof of his need to drive on that road.”””” The noble Lord said: I will briefly describe why I am moving this amendment. I do not expect a reply now; I shall expect it in discussions with the Minister. The amendment seeks to prevent the police having to follow a vehicle driving on a road on which that vehicle is banned. At present, the police have to follow a vehicle right the way through the area over which the restriction applies. Under the amendment, if the driver is making a delivery or a collection anywhere along the route which is restricted, the policeman would be able to ask the driver to produce documentary evidence of his necessity to deliver to premises, or collect from premises, along the route. It would greatly ease the burden on the police and it would make prosecution of those people who use short cuts through rural areas very much easier. I beg to move.