Report speeders
Page 26
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
T agree l(X)0 with M Powell 1 of Kent (CM Letters 5-11 September). I am a driver by occupation and can he asked to make deliveries the length and breadth of Britain. When speed limiters were required to be fitted to trucks I retained an open mind as to how they would affect transport in general.
It quickly became obvious that a defensive driving techniques, particularly on motorways, would become paramount. How wrong it has worked out.
Pushy, aggressive drivers travelling with excessive speed downhills have become the norm. At my firm there are drivers who consider travelling downhill at speeds well over 100kmih is how it should be done.
Thankfully our transport manager takes them to task once the tachographs have been analysed and, hopefully a more responsible approach is achieved.
These speed merchants are by no means just ownerdrivers You get many nationally known fleets NEVER travelling at less than 56mph on motorways except uphill.
Perhaps now is the time for drivers who value their professionalism to note details of these idiots and pass them on to the Traffic Commissioners to allow the Vehicle Inspectorate to target the companies concerned-after all the evidence is there in black and white on the tachograph.
It is these firms that are killing the transport industry. Every driver is aware of the location of his or her local Traffic Area Office; let's give them the evidence and see if they can get off their backsides and get on with enforcing the law, David Burrows, Bradford.
Common problem
T n the article by Miles 1 Brignall "Low Rates Spell Duxbury Failure" (CM 5-11 Sept) a number of important issues need highlighting about this common problem within the road haulage industry.
1) Since 1994 DAM has been pursuing its Charter which mils for "better fixed sensible haulage rates". If this policy was adopted then we in DAM believe it would resolve many problems (too many to mention) within the haulage industry'.
2) From our contribution to the Commission Directorate—General for Transport in the EEC on "Fair and Efficient Pricing" DAM has called for a better rating system. This has lead DAM being invited to an open forum in Brussels on 11 November to discuss this subject. We believe that our charter will be listened to and already we can see that some politicians are eager to listen to people who are directly working in the industry and accept our sensible demands from the EC. We cannot allow our industry to deteriorate any further and we hope that this open forum will be the climb back to improve our industry.
Jack Crossfield, Drivers Action Movement.
flealth insurance
A s everyone who is in the
transport business is aware it can be very expensive to get into.
To obtain an LGV Class 1 licence can cost E1,500. If anyone wishes to train further with dangerous goods, health and safety, manual handling, first aid and so on, then this can cost a further £1,500.
But it is much easier to lose your licence. Not counting drivers' own stupidity (drink driving, convictions or penalty points) there is illhealth, sight or many other disabilities that can cost a licence.
My question is whether there is any body union, company or insurer who is prepared to offer some kind of compensation package to a driver who, through illhealth, loses not only his licence but his job.
I work on an aerodrome and there are employees there who hold CAA licences and if they lose their licences through ill-health they are able to get a very good compensation deal.
Any kind of package would be greatly appreciated by WV drivers, Les Garton,
Cranleigh, Surrey