CUSTOMS NOT FJUR • Regarding the article 'Britain picking on
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Europeans?' (CM, August 9) from Euro MP Hoorst Seefeld, I would like to point out that a visitor should adopt the laws of the country he is in.
If the UK police force picks on any driver then that driver must have aggravated the officer in question. Has anyone ever bothered to get the other side of the story? Knowing the attitude of German drivers I would say it was brought on by arrogance and stupidity.
If you look at how British drivers are treated in the rest of Europe — the boot is on the other foot.
In Belgium the minimum fine is 252 and if the driver can't pay immediately the vehicle is towed away, and the driver left on the road side. If then a higher fine of 278 isn't paid within 96 hours the vehicle is sold. The fine plus costs are taken and the company is presented with the balance.
In Germany, how many foreign drivers have been stopped at gun point for either a minor offence — or no offence at all — and fined? If the driver can't pay then under trust, the police will allow the fine to be paid on exit or reentry to the country.
The Germans pride themselves on being a methodical race so why is every German border crossing different? Why are tachographs for two days demanded at the German side of the Austrian frontier but not at others?
On personal experience I produced a tachograph at Salzburg/Walserberg which showed that 1 had been speeding for around one minute (in fact, to avoid an accident). The German police officer refused my explanation and said I should have had the accident. Even when I presented the other vehicle's registration number the answer was still the same.
But I'm not criticising Mr Seefeld for standing up for his country's drivers. In fact it is something Britain should do but never does.
I have seen foreign drivers coming in and out of Britain who have admitted to me that they have not bought any diesel in the UK where is it most expensive. But British Customs will stop a British driver returning to the UK who will be made to pay duty on diesel in belly tanks unless it is on a 1'-Form and sealed.
Britain has the perfect opportunity at all ports of entry to check diesel and charge road tax. If a diesel declaration was brought in and road tax for every foreign truck was charged at a minimum of 210 a month, the British economy would be boosted.
British hauliers' road tax would be reduced making transport more competitive which would boost a dying industry.
'These are the personal views of an Englishman living abroad. Don't take it lying down Britain — fight fire with fire. You can achieve the greatness that has now subsided, even if it is only in transport.
A G Harris Autobahn Spedition International Klagenfurt Austria
DAF-AID NOT P1TSTOP
• With reference to the August 30 issue of Commercial Motor I was surprised to see the amount of space given to Bird's Eye View page. I am referring to the story of the DAF 2800 belonging to a David Allen who it appears is of the opinion that DAF-aid is a diabolical waste because he got no help at a race track. I am under the impression that DAF-aid is there to assist genuine roadside breakdowns — a service that it carries out with the greatest of success, not on a race track. I am incensed to see the photograph that appeared with the article as I for one would have been a very confused person had I have broken down with a DAF only to be told that the local agent's service vehicle was at a race track fixing a racing truck. What next? ATS on the back straight fixing a tyre?
With reference to the `DAF Sponsored' 3600 of Barry Sheene I understand that this vehicle is entered by Sherwood DAF Trucks and not DAF Trucks GB. This point being put to one side in motor sport, it is not usual to spend time fixing another competitor's vehicle even if it is the same as your own which in this case it was not, one being a 2800 the other a 3600 which has different heads so the head gaskets for the 3600 would not fit a 2800 and I expect that this may well have been pointed out at the time.
The moral to this is that if you wish to destroy your truck at a truck race then you should carry the spares you may need to fix it and the speeds that the trucks are raced at and indeed the way they are driven, engine spares should be high on the list. Let's be fair, DAF-aid did help Mr Allen once and that was once too often.
As a final note I have run DAF trucks for the last seven years ranging from a 2300 up to the latest Space Cab model and have only needed DAF-aid once and when they were called the job was done both correctly and, most important, quickly. It's funny how people are quick to complain and slow to praise.
So to put the matter right on behalf of all the satisfied DAF-aid users, thank you DAF for all the good work you have done for operators who have had a roadside break down.
David J Coles
UK & International Refrigerated Transport Trowbridge Wiltshire
MAN-VW NOT CHOPPED
• I note that an article on l'age 5 of Commercial Motor for the week ending August 30, 1986, states "MAN-VW chops two truck dealers". The decision made by my Board to terminate the MAN Truck franchise at our Park Royal location was ours alone, made in the light of the very competitive market environment under which we operated and with no pressure from MAN-VW Commercial Vehicle Division.
There was no question whatsoever of MAN-VW "chopping" or "closing" the dealership as suggested in your article.
Perhaps you would be good enough to put the record straight for the benefit of our many existing and past customers who may read your magazine.
Dovercourt, from its outlets in St John's Wood, Plaistow Battersea, remains very active in the Sales and Servicing of MAN-VW Light Commercial Vehicles and continues to enjoy the full confidence of MAN-VW.