DOT will monitor consignor liability
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by Nicky Clarke • The Department of Transport is to keep a close eye on new consignor liability legislation in Ireland as it considers introducing it in the UK.
After a lengthy delay, consignor liability will be introduced into Irish law by the end of the year. If successful, it could be copied by the UK Government.
Under its terms, the company responsible for loading a truck found to be overloaded could be prosecuted and fined up to IR£1,500.
The UK Department of Transport says it will monitor the success of the Republic's scheme before deciding whether to introduce its own consignor liability legislation. The campaign for its introduction has been led by the Irish Road Haulage Association. President John Guilfoyle says a number of members are being overloaded against their will.
"They are paid on a mileage basis and are carrying excess for nothing," he says. Guilfoyle estimates that up to 20% of consignors' products are carried free of charge as overloads.
His main concern is public safety: "They're getting away with four, five or six-tonne overloads and vehicles aren't designed to carry those weights."
UK hauliers will also welcome the move, many having suffered the indignity of being hauled through the courts for an overloaded trailer or container they picked up already loaded.