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VETERAN VIEW
Page 20
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It was with some alarm that I read the letter from Chris Rhoades (CM13-19 Dec). By his own admission, he has "only recently joined the industry" and already it appears that he is an expert on road safety, transport efficiency and, most probably, the environment.
After 35 years in the industry (and still under 50) within operational, manufacturing, dealer and latterly emissions environments, I would like to refute his comments.
There are a number of reasons for the proposed reduction in maximum speed of 7.5-tonners, not least of which is the current confusing mishmash of speed limits: 7.5tonners at 70mph; 7.51-12tonners at 60mph; above 12-tonners at 56 mph and old knackers (pre H-reg) above 12 tonnes at 60mph. No wonder the Old Bill has problems enforcing that mess.
But let's look at some facts: • Reduced speeds generally contribute to improvements in fuel consumption, tyre and foundation-brake wear and lead to fewer accidents in addition to reducing tailpipe emissions—and all without seriously affecting productivity.
• On motorways and dual carriageways, the majority (86%) of HGVs travel at speeds between 50-60mph.
• On single carriageways, the majority travel at speeds of 40-50mph (Source: DoT Transport Statisticswww,transtat.dttgov.uk).
In principle, Dutch operators welcome the introduction of lower speeds on goods vehicles of 3.5 tonnes and above, so are they so different from us?
I spent 10 years driving HGVs. Through hard work and perseverance (OK, the Yellow Pages and a fist full of 10p pieces!), I found a local transport company that would sponsor me through the HOV test under the RTITB. I initially attended a five-week course (first week in the classroom; second and third weeks obtaining my licence; fourth back in the classroom and fifth driving under supervision), so when I was allowed out on my own I had a good grounding in roping and sheeting, legislation and first aid. I am not wishing to return to the "good old days" (there was nothing good about waking up in January at Bothwell Services and scraping ice off the inside of the windscreen) but I do think that the industry needs a more structured approach to driver truing than the current "got a licence? Well, there's your notes" attitude.
The vast majority of people in the transport industry are true professionals with great integrity. But ill-considered comments only serve to perpetuate the public perception of a bunch of cowboys out for a fast buck. David Reales, Environmental/transport consultant, Stone, Staffs.