ITS UK: Responses to HOTA Call for Evidence shows need for change
26 June 2024: The Home Office has published a summary of its findings following a Call for Evidence on the Home Office Type Approval (HOTA) process for enforcement technology.
The Call for Evidence summary highlights that, although the HOTA system has strengths, “respondents felt time delays and process inefficiencies are hindering HOTA, expressing a desire for improvements in collaboration, communication and documentation.”
Last year, ITS UK launched a ‘Let’s Get HOTA Working’ Campaign, calling for changes in the process by which enforcement technology is approved to ensure that evidence from devices can be admissible in UK courts without eye-witness corroboration.
Max Sugarman, Chief Executive of Intelligent Transport Systems UK, said: “It is clear, from the responses released today to the Call for Evidence, that the HOTA process is in urgent need of reform.
“Whilst the UK is highly-regarded in its high standards of enforcement equipment, the HOTA process is now causing delays to innovative new products that could increase safety on our road network.
“We very much welcome the Home Office’s work on this issue and look forward to working with them and industry to act on these findings. A more transparent and open approval process – that maintains a robust approach to equipment – will have far reaching benefits for both road users and enforcement technology suppliers.”
Note to Editors
- The Call for Evidence Summary Document can be found here.
- A briefing on the HOTA process, and the issues faced by manufacturers, can be found here.
- The Home Office will be presenting at the ITS UK Enforcement Forum on 2 May. More information can be found here
- About ITS UK: Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK) is the voice of the transport technology industry. ITS UK provides a national platform to support the roll out of technology for a cleaner, safer and more effective transport network, both at home and abroad. We support our 175 members – from both the private and public sector, and covering all sizes and disciplines – through advocacy to policy makers, connecting people and organisations, promoting the industry overseas and supporting innovation across the intelligent transport ecosystem. www.its-uk.org