II EDITOR'S COMMENT
Page 5
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• We should all think ourselves lucky. We don't live in a Police state despite what some people say. But judging by the headline story in this week's issue it seems as if the only way to stop certain individuals breaking the low is to become one.
It's unbelievable, not to say terrifying, that an operator would consider carrying a toxic chemical such as hydrochloric acid without the right equipment and training, considering the possible consequences. Yet that is exactly what happened last week when a lunatic — what else would you call him? — decided to drive through the Dartford Tunnel with a leaking load of acid threatening the lives of hundreds of other road users.
In the event, several toll-booth operators were chemically poisoned. God only knows what would have been the result if the vehicle had been involved in a serious accident.
Of course hauliers like that are few and far between. But there are still enough of them prepared to waive the risks in order to pocket the cash. At least one of those apocryphal stories of shady hauliers carrying heaven knows what in general-purpose tanks is bound to be true.
So what is the answer? Must someone be killed before a real crackdown on the chemical cowboys takes place?
It all boils down to resources. As Dartford Tunnel operations manager Alan Hobson says, you can't check everyone. But what you can do is provide money and manpower to make sure that there are enough roadside checks, at any time, to get the message over to the would-be law breakers.
Some police forces, notably Cleveland Constabulary, have been getting to grips with the problem, not only by enforcement but by education initiatives such as its biennial Hazchem Symposiums.
Dealing with a responsible operator is one thing. Catching an irresponsible one is quite another matter. The police and the NSF need more money and manpower to catch the cowboys and hammer them. That means instant and permanent revocation of licences and swingeing fines. And while the authorities are at it they should also clobber the chemical manufacturer and supplier who allow such loads to leave their premises in the first place, knowing full well that the vehicle and driver hauling the load aren't fit for the job. Cowboy operators certainly don't operate in isolation.
The time is right to weed out the hauliers who think they can beat the law and make a fast buck while exposing the community to danger. We need to spend more money on enforcement and make sure that the only hazchem hauliers on the roads are the professionals. If we don't do it now somebody is going to get killed.