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MEP sighting shocker!
Page 9
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Brian Weadierley proves MEPs do actually exist on this planet.. and this one t him that more self-regulati among European road transport industry chiefs w be a jolly good idea.
The other day I found myself sitting next to an MEP. No, re. He seemed an amiable enough cove, although he did thii the European road transport industry could with do more "self-regulation". Frankly I'd rather give a pyromaniac a ce petrol and a blow torch and I told him so. The only thing1 keeps the average British truck operator from breaking thi is the fear, or to be more accurate the likelihood, of being caught.
Unfortunately you've more chance of being hit by a falling meteorite in some EU countries than of bumping into a traffic cop. Don't take my word for it. Regular CM readers will recall how the Portuguese government faces legal action from the European Commit over its failure to properly police drivers' hours law. You me they DONT police drivers' hours in Portugal? Well, knock r down with a 44-tonner!
" Frankly I'd rather a pyromaniac a can petrol and a blow to and I told him so.
The good news is I have not long received a communique from the Commission, promising a new directive aimed at removing cowboy operators from the E roads. Hurrah! Among other things it talks about increasii the number of roadside checks and enforcement visits tc operators' premises. Moreover, it mentions "encouraging co-operation between enforcement authorities both with ii and between Member States, to promote best practice a assist each other in pursuing those operators who do not abide by the rules."
In particular the Commission wants to make ft easier for an enforcement authority in one member state to crack down on vehicles run by a bent operator from another. To remedy this, it says: "For serious and repeated violations, ft enforcement co-ordination point in every Member State wil pass information on these violations to the authority entitlec taking the necessary sanctions."
So there you have it job done! It's the end of cowboy hauliers throughout the EU. Only which of the 15 EU memb countries do YOU think will take the new directive most seriously... OK, so it was a daft question, wasn't it?