The rule of law...
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At last—solid support for law-abiding hauliers with the news that, from February, drivers found to have broken the hours rules at roadside checks will be given immediate prohibitions.
It's a move that was badly needed for several reasons. First, the old system of imposing immediate prohibitions on foreign drivers while treating UK drivers differently was clearly less than ideal. Second, it means that many innocent drivers who unwittingly commit a minor hours offence, like missing part of a 45-minute break, will avoid prosecution as they will now be forced to take the appropriate break instead. Third, it should help control operators who habitually and deliberately flout the hours rules. just imagine the inconvenience of being forced to park up for 48 hours with an urgent refrigerated load after missing a couple of weekly rest periods. And finally, of course, prosecution still awaits those who commit serious offences.
All good stuff. But the icing on the cake would be a change of heart in terms of the fines handed out for those hours offences that continue to reach the courtroom.
This is underlined by last week's case of two firefighters moonlighting for Eddie Stobart who were fined just £150 apiece—even though one had worked 18 consecutive days without a break. The other key issue is how many VI staff will be on hand at any given time to enforce the new policy (an old CM batdecry, we know, but just as relevant today as the first time we raised it).
Fven so, the new policy, coupled with vehicle impounding which is due to begin later this year, makes the Transport Bill a significant milestone in the war against cowboy operators. Roll on June!