Life class for motorists
Page 22
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
MOST PRIVATE motorists have very little idea of what it is like to be behind the wheel of a heavy vehicle and to control artic or drawbar trailer combinations many times larger and much heavier than the average car.
To improve the climate of understanding between car drivers and haulage professionals, a venture by operators in Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Germany, recently enabled private motorists to accompany hgv drivers on typical journeys.
Fifteen hauliers, in five towns, participated in the novel scheme which attracted over 1,000 people to be "driver's mate" fo a morning or afternoon stint.
Almost without exception, al those who took part were deep impressed by the responsibiliti and skill shown by those who earn their living in this sector o the transport industry.
Moreover, all gained an appreciation of the need for greater tolerance towards !erg( commercial vehicles. The exercise also provided practica experience of the problems faced by drivers when having ti make deliveries in streets lined with parked cars and under similar conditions. It is hoped ti repeat similar "partners in traffic" demonstrations in othe parts of the country.