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Row brews over call for alcohol at MSAs
Page 13
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A pressure group for truck drivers says they should be allowed to drink alcohol with their meaks at motorway service stations (MSAs). Pat Nicholson, spokeswoman for the 350-member Professional Drivers Association (PDA), says the UK is the only country in Europe where alcohol is banned at PASAs, "I think it's a matter of us coming up to speed with other countries in Europe. It's not a case of us saying we should be drinking there but a case of having the choice. We are professional, responsible people."
Her comments are supported by MSA chain Roark:het which sent a manager on a fact-finding visit to Continental MSAs with a PDA member in May. Roadchef chief executive John Greenwood says there is no evidence to suggest alcohol abuse by truckers at these sites. "in the UK, It would improve their experience of motorways by making rest periods more enjoyable for them If they wish to have a drink."
However, NIcholson's comments are described as very disappointing by road safety charity Brake. Spokesman Ben Heathy says: "Studies have shown that even having up to half the legal limit of alcohol can leave you severely incapable to judge hazards and distances.
"If you are sober and make a mistake, the brain tenth to compensate by making you more attentive after but even with low levels of alcohol, your brain's natural reaction to become more conscientious is just not there."
He adds that truckers have the potential to cause vast amounts of damage and, because they visit MSAs more than most other drivers, would be more exposed to the drink-drive temptation if the regulations were relaxed.