AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

It's only a few weeks until Scottish commercial drivers will

16th March 2006, Page 10
16th March 2006
Page 10
Page 10, 16th March 2006 — It's only a few weeks until Scottish commercial drivers will
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

be banned from smoking in their cabs. But with public awareness of the legislation seemingly low, Barry Proctor wonders what the benefit will be.

Just in case you thought it was cold down south, I was up in Glasgow last week, braving the bitter cold and snow. And at the end of the trip I had to take a taxi to the train station and the ensuing conversation with the driver made me realise how much work the Scottish Executive has to do. We should be discussing legislation that's designed to improve the health of those heroes who drive the nations' commercial vehicles.

It was left to me to inform the driver that in a little over two weeks he wouldn't be allowed to smoke a cigarette in his vehicle.

His jaw nearly hit the ground (or at least the layer of cigarette butts that carpeted the floor of the cab): as I soon gathered he knew absolutely nothing about the latest rules that have been drafted to keep him breathing longer.

"What have they done that for'?" was his shocked response — or at least a printable version of it.

This concerns me, because if a Glaswegian taxi driver is unaware of impending legislation that will affect his life, there are probably a lot of other drivers, either of taxis or trucks, who are also in the dark and liable to fall foul of the law.

Its just one more piece of legislation to add to the pile of existing laws that are threatening to drown UK business in a sea of paperwork. But is any of it doing any good?

The EU Working Time Directive was introduced a year ago, but ask any driver how well it has been implemented and they will tell you it has done nothing to reduce fatigue. Next to be introduced is the law surrounding digital tachographs, which is a total mess. Then there's the EU Compulsory Training Directive. And on the horizon is Ken Livingstone's bright idea of Low Emission Zones, complete with all those patronising posters of trucks covered in dirty hand marks.

The Scottish Parliament will implement a no-smoking ban in all light and heavy goods vehicles from 26 March. Yes, smoking can damage your health; so can a baseball bat in a remote layby. But we don't see laws being passed for more truck parks to be built along the road network.

It makes you wonder why we still want to do the job.

Tags

Locations: Glasgow

comments powered by Disqus