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TruckNetUK's Rikki Chequer follows the fallout from Jeremy Clarkson's recent comments...
Page 9
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This week, a number of drivers have continued to discuss the comments made by Jeremy Clarkson on a recent episode of Top Gear, and the reactions to those comments from the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the United Road Transport Union (URTU). It isn't surprising that many of the drivers have expressed some pretty strong opinions.
It is worth taking note of the targets of the drivers' anger. When drivers using the forum were asked: "Do you 'take great exception' to the typecasting of lorry drivers on Top Gear?", 22 said they did and 209-a resounding 90% said they didn't.
Many drivers did, however, take exception to the RHA and URTU supposedly talking on their behalf. Here are a few quotes taken directly from the forums:
"I didn't take exception at all. Who do these clowns [the PHA] think they are? They haven't asked me for my opinion, so what makes them think they can speak publicly on my behalf?"
"Shouldn't the RHA be more interested in getting the British road haulage industry back on its feet and dealing with real issues?"
"I have far more respect for the Top Gear team than I do for the RHA. In my opinion, the RHA de nothing for the road haulage industry and fail to represent the UK drivers in any useful way. That episode of Top Gear did more for our industry in 60 [-mutes than the RHA has ever done."
"I wish these do-gooders would get a grip... its a union's job to represent its members, not tell them what's offensive to them. The only damage he [Clarkson] has done to the transport industry with his Top Gear stunt was to drivers' sides due to excessive laughter."
It would appear the URTU and the RHA have a severe image problem with drivers. How can both organisations be so out of touch with those they say are offended by the comments?
On the evidence from the forums, both organisations got this very wrong. Perhaps next time, talking to those supposedly upset before Issuing a statement may stop egg landing squarely on someone's face...