It’s not smart to play dumb when it comes to compliance
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I WRITE IN response to Ray Sal’tiel’s letter (CM 13 January), particularly with regard to his thoughts concerning Peter Clark’s letter (CM 23 December), where Clark says Trafic Commissioners (TCs) can be too lenient.
Sal’tiel questions whether Clark owns trucks, but I would ask, as a consultant, does he?
What is of more concern though is that Sal’tiel appears to be trying to defend the indefensible, such as the poor maintenance and legal compliance of an operator, by mitigating that the legislation we all operate to is a ‘mineield’ . In doing so, he is painting a very poor picture of our industry to the TCs and magistrates, of apparent ignorance and noncompliance.
In order for any business to be successful, must be safe, legally compliant and professional. Operators must understand and comply with the legisla tion that governs its activities, so if Sal’tiel’s client feels he can’t, maybe he needs to consider if he is in the right industry.
What our industry needs is to be rid of the operator who undercuts proitable transport rates of the respectable professional haulier by saying it is essential to survive, and then pleads ignorance when it comes to maintaining the vehicles.
Good rates and legal compliance go hand-inhand. While I have every sympathy for anyone who works hard to earn a living, ignorance is no defence in the eyes of the law, and if our green and white cousins (along with the vast majority of other respectable hauliers) trucking the length and breadth of this country can run a shiny and compliant leet, so can he!
Kevin Buck Essex