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Driver warning 'too soft'

14th January 1999
Page 7
Page 7, 14th January 1999 — Driver warning 'too soft'
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

by Karen Miles

• The warning by the Vehicle Inspectorate to an Essex haulier who employed cheaper eastern European drivers has been branded as "soft" by other operators.

VI traffic examiners issued the warning to Delamode International after discovering the Braintree-based haulier had been employing Romanian drivers on UK soil.

A warning—rather than tougher action—was considered adequate, says the VI, because Delamode's management seemed ignorant of the law. But the VI says it will pursue Delamode and other hauliers known to be using foreign drivers if they continue their illegal behaviour. Operators who have been complaining bitterly about their competitors' use of non-EU drivers in British-registered trucks are dissatisfied with the action.

"We're far too soft on this— we've got to get on top of it," says Alan Simon, general man ager of Durham-based Peter Cook Transport.

Karen Packham, international manager of the Freight Transport Association, welcomes the VI's warning as "a start" but adds that operators who break the law should expect prosecution.

Road Haulage Association member Delamode, which is licensed to run 13 trucks from its Braintree site, was caught using Romanian drivers in this country after other hauliers alerted the VI.

Delamode has declined to comment on the case.


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