If you don’t want to do the time, don’t do the crime
Page 16
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
ABSOLUTELY STAGGERING was just one of the myriad of superlatives that went through my mind when reading DS Boyes’ and Peter Orr’s letters regarding the lorry drivers sentenced for tacho iddling (CM 21 April).
While maybe not alone, I hope the comments of the two contributors are a minority. For anyone to complain about the harshness of a sentence for drivers who have been caught deliberately iddling tachographs or drivers’ hours (CM 7 April) for their own or their employer’s beneits is disgraceful to say the least.
To be complacent in accepting this type of behaviour is the cancer in the industry that needs eradicating, for two main reasons. First, the drivers’ hours regulations, like any regulation in any industry, were brought in to create a safer working environment, not only for those employed in it, but also for innocent members of the public who could be affected by its actions.
Second, the rules were made to introduce regulation in to the industry and create a level and fair playing ield by which all could operate and compete commercially and competitively in, by having it regulated against unsafe practices.
If airline pilots were caught doing the same thing, it is likely that they would lose their wings. In both cases, they have the potential to kill a large number of innocent people.
When there are rogue operators allowing or encouraging drivers to break the drivers’ hours regulations to gain or retain work, this encourages dangerous practices and removes the regulated level playing ield by which those responsible hauliers operate.
I whole-heartedly congratulate Alex Fiddes and his team from VOSA, and those from the other enforcing authorities who assisted with this operation, for having the drive and conviction to ensure these rogue drivers felt the full force of the law.
I thank him for taking these irresponsible and dangerous drivers off the road and for helping to make those journeys of my wife and two children a little safer when they venture out.
The law is clear on maximum penalties for such offences and it is refreshing to see them being exercised and that a clear message has been sent to all in the industry that this behaviour will not be tolerated. And those who are prepared to take the gain when they break the law should be prepared to take the pain when they get caught.
Kevin Buck Leigh on Sea, Essex