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Supporters of CM'S campaign continue to contact us with messages of support. Here is a recent selection.
James Roper, managing director, Humberside Driver Training Services: "Congratulations on your effort to obtain resemblance to what was once a highly efficient service to all members of the road haulage industry.. .What riles me and other reputable HGV driver training establishments is the empire builders and staff getting rich by riding on the backs of the genuine individuals who are trying to promote road safety in turning out a "professional driver".
"On one occasion a senior instructor called into our office and asked, 'What is the purpose of a differential gear?" When I explained and said that as an instructor, he should know these things, he replied, "I am a driving instructor, not a fitter." Yet this person is allowed to train LGV drivers without any instructor training other than passing his test never having been in a loaded lorry, let alone driven one."
"I wish you well in your efforts to ensure that all potential LGV-PCV drivers are able to obtain value for money."
Dave Buffery, Associated Driver Training Services, Bristol: "I am particularly interested in your LGV/PCV training campaign as I have been training drivers on all types of vehicles For over 30 years.. .1 fully support your view that it is not right and I would add, not safe, for someone to pass the LGV/PCV driving test in the morning and commence to train inexperienced persons in the afternoon... As far back as 1972 a colleague and myself wrote to the then Ministry of Transport and attended interviews with two MPs regarding the qualification and registration of LGV/PCV driving instructors to reach a minimum standard similar to ADI.. The reply received from the MOT was that the LGV/PCV licence was vocational and that the transport industry would take care of itself...A requirement for a candidate wishing to take the ADI examination is that they must have held a driving licence for at least four years. Using this as a criterion, I suggest that before an LGV licence holder is permitted to train others they should have a minimum of five years experience on various types of vehicles/loads and take an assessment with an established and experienced instructor."
Roger Belsham, Colchester, Essex:
"I support your view on the registration of all instructors and have done, ever since I was first registered by the RTITB as an instructor in 1982. At that time I was employed by an approved group training association as an instructor. I am now self employed and run a small LGV/PCV driving school. I renewed my registration in 1988 but failed to do so in 1993 as I felt that deregulation of the RTITB had token away the authority of the certificate. So long as government is not prepared to stop incompetent instructors from operating why should I waste both time and money For re-registration?"
Trevor Haye, Haye's Haulage, Ayr: "In addition to the aims of your campaign, I would like to see training being carried out with full 40ft trailers—preferably box or curtainside and laden. After I passed my Class 1 (pulling a 30ft trailer} I nearly hit a lamp post on my first day pulling a 40ft curtainsider. This happened on a junction I had been through many times while training, exactly as I had been trained to do except now I had an extra 104 of trailer. This would not have happened if a full-sized trailer was used while training. I am sure other new drivers have had similar incidents."
Thanks to all those readers who have sent in the campaign coupon. If you haven't filled one in, please do so, as they provide valuable evidence of support when meeting MPs and officials to lobby for support.