Don't punish teach
Page 17
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The Road Haulage Association shows laudable concern at the incidence of road accidents caused by bunching, although why it should particularly want this malpractice added to the list of "'don'ts" in the next edition of the Highway Code is puzzling. Equally puzzling is why the Association should be concerned only with non-motorway incidents. Bunching, especially in winter, is a suicidal practice on the motorways. As the Highway Code does not carry the force of law it is difficult to see how this inclusion will help matters. In addition, few qualified drivers ever read the Highway Code and it is the qualified drivers who are bunching. The Code is a toothless document and has no legal backing it is in fact a sort of distillation of existing legislation and this is part of its value.
Training, not punishment, is the answer to bad driving.
The RTITB, through the group training associations, has made a start and for many years there have been a number of excellent company training schemes. Nevertheless, accidents, many of them fatal, still occur.
As a short-term measure the RTITB could reach drivers quickly and effectively through their employers by using the pages of its publication Transport Training. A few illustrated notes in each' issue would go a long way to improving driving standards.
Operators must play their part by analysing accident causes and not merely dismissing them as items of oncost to be borne initially by the insurers and eventually by the customers. More attention by management to this subject will do much more than its inclusion in the Highway Code. The RHA does well to highlight the matter; others must do something about it.