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Artic drivers are skilled but `speeding bullies'
Page 14
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Truck drivers fancy themselves as policemen, bully other motorists and routinely break speeding laws, says a new survey.
But the same survey of nearly 2,000 motorists, truck drivers and transport operators also found male artic drivers were the most skilled on the roads.
The Mercedes-Benz National Truck Survey polled the views of the public and transport industry on how the industry is seen. Around 60% of the public think CV drivers in general bully and intimidate other drivers and 65% of CV drivers also thought fellow truck drivers bully other road users. Truck drivers feel particularly strongly about the standards of roads, with four out of five saying they had got worse and 74% thinking UK roads were poorer than those in the rest of Europe. Around three quarters of all drivers thought the tachograph protected them from lawbreaking employees and the public from dangerous drivers. However, 86% believed that despite the tachograph many operators still ignored regulations.
The survey also showed that CV drivers want more education with 68% welcoming more refresher training, taking on legislation and vehicle changes. Nearly half of all fleet managers organise refresher training for drivers.
Improving the image of the industry and CV drivers was high on everybody's list with 81% of the public saying there was too much freight on the roads. Three out of four motorists said commercial vehicles were too big and fast but 62% think speed limits on motorways are too low.