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The vision of 45 policemen driving 38-tonne trucks on a racetrack may seem a little out of the ordinary—but that is exactly what happened when one owner-driver came up with the revolutionary Police Ride and Drive day. Tim Maughan visited North Yorkshire where the boys in blue had the chance to experience the power of today's trucks.
arrives at Croft Circuit, near Darlington, to see 15 trucks and trailers lined up on the side of the autodrome track. It is a curious spectacle on a cold Sunday morning. Still, the site has had a colourful past. Just over 50 years ago bombers of the Canadian Air Force thundered from Croft destined for targets deep within Nazi Germany.
Half a century on, the old heavy bomber base provides the home for rally car racing in the north of England. With its history of accommodating giants of the air, the site is ideal for hosting an event for the giants of today's roads. The unique Police Ride and Drive day is the brainchild of Derek Lanham, a Darlington-based owner-driver: "I thought that if 1 did something like this hauliers would have a better working relationship with the police. They would be able to see the technology and understand the job, and get the view from up in the cab," he says. "So I contacted the chief inspector of North Yorkshire Police—he said that he supported the idea."
And he did. A continuous convoy of trucks, mainly driven by policemen, whizzes around the circuit. There is the occasional noise of gears grinding—a sound only to be expected with the novice truck drivers behind the wheel more used to manoeuvring a police car through busy traffic.
Michael Maddison, a salesman from North Fast Truck and Van, invites CM into the cab of an Iveco EuroStar 380. As we glide round the circuit he says: "It is important people see what lorry drivers have to put up with; what they have to do for a living. The general public does not respect the haulage industry."
He says of the Police Ride and Drive day: "The police can get to see the work of the lorry drivers!'
Impressed CM catches up with a group of policemen, seconds after they have climbed out of a truck. They are clearly impressed. PC Chris Morris of North Yorkshire Police says : "Basically this day gives us an idea of the lorry drivers' job. There are an awful lot of policeman who don't know enough about lorries." His colleague, PC Ken Briggs, remarks: "It is absolutely brilliant—the first thing that hits you is the view from the cab."
PC Morris says that the day gives police an invaluable insight into the haulage world: "Car drivers do not appreciate how much space a lorry needs to manoeuvre. We will be more sympathetic. It is not always the truck driver's fault when things go wrong. Lorry drivers must understand that we are not trying to pick on them —both the police and hauliers want to get the cowboys out of the industry."
Two more PCs speak to CM after a spell behind the wheel. For PC Pete Thompson of South Yorkshire Police the driving experience is priceless: "I do the HGV enforcement for the Doncaster area. This is a good way to get to know hauliers—it has to be an excellent idea, there should be more of them." His colleague, PC Derek Fleetwood, is elated: "I had never driven an HGV before. Now I can appreciate the power of the vehicles; I feel more confident about trucks after today." All the major truck dealerships are represented, as is bus company Arriva North East, which is busy shuttling people around the circuit. The army of local owner-drivers includes Bill Tweedle, Colin Longstaff, Billy King, Danny Booth, Neil Mitchell and Neil Terry
Dynamic team
CM leaves the assembled line of trucks, and joins Lanham and Sgt Brian Trickett—the dynamic team behind the big day. The Leyland DAF promotional trailer provides a welcome sanctuary from the icy wind that sweeps across the exposed ground. The philosophy behind the event is discussed over a cup of coffee. Says Sgt Trickett of the event "It is a pioneering idea. The police who have come here have really had their eyes opened. I myself was surprised by the quietness of the vehicles." He believes that such a day is invaluable in strengthening the bond between hauliers and the police. "I would welcome hauliers to ring the police more often if they have any problems—especially about aspects of the law, such as carrying big loads."
Sgt Trickett points out the dedication of the policemen who have come to the Ride and Drive day "They have all come in their own time," he says Lanham, who operates a Volvo FH12 and a powder tanker, replies: "It has been a day where views have been exchanged, and I am looking to planning another one in the future."
Dusk is descending, but still trucks can be seen going round the circuit. The policemen driving the trucks are taken with the machines—the stereotype of cold spartan cabs is something largely restricted to the past For them, it is an exercise in power and comfort.
But it is not all about boys with their toys. Sgt Trickett has seen at first hand the challenge which faces hauliers day in, day out "There are a lot of things to do at the same time. Hauliers have a responsibility to other road users and their customers—there are commercial pressures; people can lose their livelihoods."
Ultimately, the Police Ride and Drive event has given the police a vital insight into an essential part of modern life: "Hauliers have a job to do, and if they stopped the country would grind to a halt," reflects Sgt Trickett.