Readers back Brake
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by Nicky Clark • Readers who responded to a Commercial Motor questionnaire are overwhelmingly in favour of Brake, the safety campaign for road haulage.
Some 98% agreed that LGV driver training schools should be regulated to approved driving instructor (ADI) standard; 93% felt that traffic area offices should be empowered to authorise the confiscation of unlicensed vehicles.
Brake campaign director Mary Williams says the results are "encouraging and expected.
"The majority of reputable operators on the whole support the objectives of Brake, which are realistic and achievable and do not affect those who put safety first," she says.
However, only 33% sup ported automatic prosecution following immediate vehicle prohibitions.
"Brake strongly believes that immediate prohibition should lead to prosecution," says Williams. "An immediate prohibition is only put on a vehicle with a serious mechanical defect."
Hauliers who are charged with transport offences often appoint specialist lawyers to defend them; some 91% of respondents agreed that prosecution lawyers should also be transport specialists. Brake is looking at the possibility of specialist transport courts.