Pooling ideas to get 38 tonnes
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I READ Commercial Motor every week and have done so for some years now. I have recently noticed all the arguments for and against heavier lorry weights. Unfortunately I feel the RHA, FTA and others are not looking at the matter with an overall view to the general public's safety and job security.
First of all, I think they should back arguments with facts, and illustrate to the public the advantages we all would benefit from, ie, fewer vehicles on the road, less diesel used, better prices in the shops, and keeping inflation down which in turn keeps all of us in work.
Secondly, I think they should be made to realise the sad effects it has on towns that wish to impose weight restrictions; ie, show to the public the price of diesel, the tax and actual cost of a vehicle and the rate at which a heavy vehicle consumes its diesel. Put forward the idea by actually demonstrating the extra cost concerned which we all • end up paying ... called inflation) to the general public of that particular town or city trying to impose weight restrictions.
The general public do not know these things, they only see the lorry as an ugly monster, noisy and dangerous.
Thirdly, I would like to see the Government, RHA, FTA, large chain stores, heavy vehicle manufacturers, Commercial Motor and truck magazines and the like, put up an amount of money and give prizes for the best ideas from any individual concerned in making his or her particular town or country more efficient for the general public and lorry operators. These could then be forwarded to the Government together with the above arguments.
And finally, let's put all our ideas together and make a series of helpful TV commercials to remove from the minds of the general public the fear of the heavier lorry on our roads. This fear could be met by the vehicle makers, say, British Leyland, showing their vehicles off, and obviously increasing their appeal.
Let's back Britain, haulage firms and industry to a better, cleaner, safer future, and help keep prices down, keeping us all in work, The 38 tanner has got to come. Let's have it now. A. KEETON Doncaster.