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Third of drivers feel 'under pressure' to break hours law
Page 12
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By David Harris MORE THAN A third of truck drivers feel under pressure to work longer hours than the law permits, according to a Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) survey. And even more said they feared their vehicles were poorly maintamed.
The survey of 123 drivers found that although 57% of drivers were not concerned with the mechanical condition of their truck, 28% said they were "very concerned': and 9% were "concerned".
It was a similar picture when drivers were asked if they felt any pressure to drive longer than is legal, with 50% "not concerned': but 22% were "very concerned" and 12% -concerned".
PC Steve Rounds, who conducted the survey, says: -It is encouraging that in relation to each question, the majority of drivers who responded were not concerned about these matters. However, the next largest proportion of drivers was at the other end of the spectrum."
Drivers told the police lane discipline was the greatest single threat to motorway safety, with mobile phones another, as well as the use of laptops and DVDs. Rounds said the survey was conducted at Peterborough Truckfest, where the CMPG set up a stand to talk to drivers about problems they were experiencing. It also conducted a similar exercise at last month's Truckfest at Oswestry in Shropshire.
Both are part of an effort by the group to build a relationship between truck drivers and police and include regular events that the CMPG are calling "Stammtisch',' taken from the German word `get-together'.
These events take place on the first Wednesday of every month at motorway service areas across the Midlands.
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