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PLAYING GOD

15th August 2002, Page 20
15th August 2002
Page 20
Page 20, 15th August 2002 — PLAYING GOD
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

I read with absolute dismay in recent editions of the antics of Traffic Commissioners with regard to HGV licences and the way in which they play God and deny a man his basic right to work in his chosen profession. I refer specifically to the case of Thomas Smith of Spalding who—yes!—got caught smuggling and, yed—paid his debt to society as determined by a court of law by serving two years in prison.

I feel pretty sure that this is enough to ensure that Mr Smith will have learned by his mistake and probably just wants to get on with his life. But Eastern TO Geoffrey Simms decides that as he has to renew his HGV licence—having reached the age of 50—he is an unfit person to hold such a licence (which is apparently free of penalty points). Not because of any medical condition, nor on any reflection of his ability as a driver, but because he made a mistake for which the law has already punished him.

I refer also to the case recently of a driver from the Widnes area who, after being caught for speeding (although not over 60mph), was given points and a fine.

His speed limiter was faulty and he had reported this to his employer on more than one occasion but Beverley Bell on this occasion decided there were times when a dryer must do more than just report a defective limiter, and promptly revoked the man's livelihood for a month—without, it seems, any regard for the human consequences in light of the scale of the offence.

Isn't it about time these people woke up and smelled the coffee? Why should they be given the right to do this to a working man with absolutely no other body to answer to for their actions?

I don't condone any criminal action but I just feel that the industry (which has more problems presently than any other) is suffering due to the draconian attitudes of TCs. Would a plumber or electrician suffer the same fate?

Tony Fitzgerald.

By fax.


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