German practice
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• As an owner-driver often pressurised by the big boys, I sympathise with the driver in your story "A One Cleared" (CM 16-22 April: Legal News). I feel that A One was at fault for not supplying the suitable vehicle for the load. A 13.6m trailer would carry all the drums on the deck. The consignor is equally at fault for loading in this way.
In Germany the vehicle would have been impounded, as, due to the movement and spillage, the load was obviously insecure. It is also illegal there to double stack any hazardous cargo, and the container packing certificate intended for international traffic would have implicated the consignor, as he has to sign the declaration of safe loading.
DJ Moody Tuns Trucking, Woodstock, Oxon.