VEHICLE SAFETY AND THE LAW: WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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Gwyneth Dunwoody's private member's bill and the Brake campaign make demands which supporters claim will reduce truck accidents and raise the image of the industry, which will be of benefit to law-abiding hauliers. But some hauliers see this as needless interference in an industry which is already heavily regulated. What do you think? To assess the view of the industry we're asking CM readers to give their verdict on Brake and its aims. Simply ring the answer you favour.
1. If a truck causes a fatal accident because of defective maintenance, should its owner face a charge of corporate manslaughter? YES/NO 2. Should victims of a fatal LGV accident, where the cause was proved to be defective maintenance and the owner faced criminal charges, be
eligible for criminal injuries compensation? YES/NO
3. Should an immediate vehicle prohibition notice automatically lead to
prosecution? YES/NO
4. Hauliers charged with offences appoint specialist transport lawyers to defend them. Should prosecution lawyers also be transport specialists?
YES/NO
, 5. Should the Government spend more on LGV enforcement? YES/NO
6. Anyone with an LGV licence can set up a training school without further qualification. Should LGV driver training schools be regulated to ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) standard in the same way that motoring schools are? YES/NO 7. Should Traffic Area offices be empowered to authorise the confiscation
of unlicensed vehicles? YES/NO
8. Should a haulier found to be running without an 0-licence be given a lifetime ban from holding a licence or playing an active role in a haulage
firm? YES/NO
9. Should haulage bosses always be prosecuted when a driver can prove
that he has been pushed into breaking the law? YES/NO 10. Should driver working time be limited to 11 hours per shift with a 30 minute rest break each three hours? YES/NO
11. Should bonus schemes linked to vehicle profitability be banned?
YES/NO 12. Should the rules governing entry to the haulage industry be toughened? For example, should hauliers be required to write detailed accounts of the work they intend to perform, including rates of pay and
volume of work expected? YES/NO
13. Should all truck mechanics be required to take an approved course to
allow them to work on safety critical components? YES/NO
14. Should traffic area offices monitor all operators on a regular basis?
YES/NO 15. Should hire companies be legally responsible for the correct maintenance and licensing of their trucks while they are being used by
customers? YES/NO