Drivers warned to update motorists (From Gazette Series)

Drivers warned to update motorists

MOTORISTS in Gloucestershire are being reminded to update their driving documents when their personal details, such as name, address, or vehicle details change.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has teamed up with Gloucestershire police to warn motorists that they could be unnecessarily stopped by police if they do not update their driving licence and Vehicle Registration Certificate details.

Police are now using Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) across the region in a bid to catch criminals on the roads. Numerous vehicles are checked every day by Gloucestershire Police, with information such as personal and vehicle details checked to help identify suspicious vehicles.

DVLA provides the police with a database showing vehicles that are untaxed or do not have any current keeper details. ANPR scans number plates and checks them against this information and several other databases. If a car has been used in a burglary, robbery or is stolen, it will be flagged up by the system and may become subject to police enquiries.

If the details are inaccurate or have not been updated, the vehicle may be flagged against these databases and stopped by police. This causes inconvenience to the police and the driver who is stopped. By simply making sure that details are correct, this can easily be avoided.

John Pickersgill from Gloucester Police's Road Traffic Department said: "ANPR technology enables the police to gain information about a car quickly and accurately and identify suspicious vehicles. It is a waste of time for the motorist and the police if they are stopped because information held on a database about them is inaccurate.

"If the law-abiding public make sure their details are correct we can concentrate on catching the criminals."

For more information visit www.direct.gov.uk/motoring <http://www.direct.gov.uk/motoring>