Driver’s confidence in MOT Test undermined – MP
North Cornwall’s MP, Dan Rogerson, today (Friday) welcomed the new Secretary of State for Transport, Ruth Kelly, and immediately challenged her to resolve an issue which emerged in Cornwall this week. Mr Rogerson demanded she put right what he called “a substantial injustice” meted out to one of his constituents.
The local MP has learned that police are testing for the level of tint in local car windows, and prosecuting drivers whose glass is too dark. A North Cornwall constituent, Mr Pete Gardner, was astonished to be fined £30 for having windows which had passed an MOT test earlier that year
In a letter to Ruth Kelly, Mr Rogerson said:
“It cannot be right that the MOT, which is supposed to reassure drivers of their vehicles’ roadworthiness, should exclude consideration of tinted windows if local police are going to test for this and prosecute drivers if their windows do not meet the standard. Furthermore, why would it be legal to sell these vehicles yet illegal to drive them?”
Commenting, the Liberal Democrat MP added:
“This is patently absurd and unjust.
“The police, I’m sure, are just doing their job but Ruth Kelly must act quickly to see the matter of tinted glass properly included in the MOT Test.
“How can drivers have confidence in the test while vehicles which are later declared unroadworthy sail through it unchecked?”
