Drivers break law to survive
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by Elizabeth Daly • One in three LGV drivers are forced to break the law to keep their jobs, says a new survey. Among its findings are: • More than 30% of drivers are expected to use vehicles with defects; • Nearly 60% are under pressure to break speed limits to meet delivery times; • Nearly 30% feel pressured to exceed the load capacity of their vehicles.
"Everyone knows it goes on, so our aim was to quantify the problem and promote discussion between all interested parties," says David Higginbottom, general secretary of the United Road Transport Union which commissioned the survey.
"The bottom line is that if drivers complain they are likely to lose their jobs," he adds. "In the real world, paying the mortgage is more important than standing on principle, so they are forced to take the risk and carry the can if they're stopped."