SPEED FREAKS • In Commercial Motor 30 November-6 December, I
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read that TNT advocated the need for the speed limit for HGVs to be raised to 70mph. May I ask if the person in question travels 1,200 miles per week, as I do, mostly by motorway?
Should he do this, maybe he would see that the most arrogant, intimidating drivers are employed by parcel delivery companies, car transporters, bulk delivery companies, express coach drivers and, of course, company reps. Not forgetting the yuppies in their Porsches and Jaguars who want all the road. HGVs do more than 70mph now, with tailgating rife. Look at pictures of the M6 madness recently, this should show what speed and arrogance can do.
Companies who ask their drivers to work at piece-work rates, timed deliveries, so many loads per day or week, should have their 0-licences taken away. They contribute more to bad driving than the drivers. Operators who employ staff from transport managers to clerks, with the responsibility to route and time drivers, should ask these people if they have ever been a wheel jockey. It is no use telling a driver what to do with a 38-tonne artic if you can't do it yourself. A piece of paper on the wall after passing a CPC will never make a driver.
In my opinion, the answer is to educate all transport users from the chairman to the grease monkey, tolerance, good manners, and more pride in the job. This goes for car drivers too.
There are 24 hours in a day; it's better to be 15 minutes late at your destination, than 15 minutes earlier in the mortuary. All speed limits should be lowered to a maximum of 55mph.
Try it — be surprised at the savings.
H W Monkton,
HM Coach Supplies, Rowley Regis, Warley.