Richard Turfitt
Biography
Richard Turfitt joined the Health and Safety Executive in 1999 and helped establish their Litigation and Enforcement Advisory team. Richard helped to found the Health and Safety Lawyers’ Association and is a serving Justice of the Peace.
Richard Turfitt was appointed as Traffic Commissioner for the East of England in May 2008. Richard was appointed Senior Traffic Commissioner in June 2017.
Career
Richard left independent practice in 1997 to prosecute on behalf of the Departments of Social Security and Health. In 1998 he moved to the Treasury Solicitor’s Department to undertake personal injury litigation. He was also responsible for managing the representation of the Prison Service at inquests throughout England and Wales.
Senior Traffic Commissioner
Responsibilities under the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 are:
- Powers to deploy any traffic commissioner or deputy traffic commissioner in England and Wales; and the Scottish traffic commissioner, in respect of any reserved matters, throughout Great Britain
- Issue general directions that traffic commissioners must act under and general guidance that traffic commissioners shall have regard to
In addition, the Senior Traffic Commissioner’s responsibilities include:
- Chair the Traffic Commissioner Board, including setting policy direction and administrative guidance
- Lead the traffic commissioners on National Stakeholder engagement and public consultation
Traffic Commissioner for the east of England
Responsibilities are:
- the licensing of the operators of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and of buses and coaches known as Public Service Vehicles (PSVs)
- the registration of local bus services
- granting vocational licences and taking action against drivers of HGVs and PSVs