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'We need more effective and comprehensive enforcement'

19th December 1996
Page 75
Page 75, 19th December 1996 — 'We need more effective and comprehensive enforcement'
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

The trouble with the transport industry is that it is highly regulated, but those who flout the law will have a significant advantage precisely because of the regulations. On top of this there is the problem of new entrants having the touching belief that their costs consist only of fuel, wages and, sometimes, road fund tax and insurance. Depreciation and tyre wear are novel concepts; repairs are regarded as disasters.

The net result is that many operators are offering completely uneconomic rates thus depressing the market rate for the job and they become cowboys. Sooner or later the authorities catch up with them. However, in these cases there seems to be a great reluctance on the part of the Traffic Commissioners to remove their Operator's Licence. Also the Government does not seem keen to remove vehicles from those who operate them without a licence! Why is this? One reason may be the

I mistaken belief on the part of Government and TCs that the removal of 0-licences may deprive people of their employment. This is obviously true in the short term, but what about the industry generally and in the long term? The cowboys will have their drivers driving too long with their vehicles carrying too much and their mechanics doing too

little, if they have any at all. In effect, they are taking employment opportunities away from those who would do the job properly. The industry does not need Draconian penalties for isolated problems and it must be realised that even the best operators will have technical problems. Side-marker lights on trailers get broken; wheel bearings fail between services; electrical items can fail en route without warning. However, when the VI finds a fleet with several sets of brakes worn down to the rivets, with spring brake actuators capped off, and other safety critical parts missing, it is clearly dealing with an operator who is "technically challenged". Multi-agency checks often detect offences that would cause any reasonable person to call into question the operator's good repute. Examples are the peculiar switch that just happens to switch off the electronic tachograph or the engine that, by some amazing coincidence, has the same serial number as one from a stolen vehicle. Another one is accidentally taxing 2+3 38tonners at the 3+3 32-tonne rate and just not happening to notice the slight difference in rates. However, one of the best examples is the employment of a driver who is still claiming benefits. This is a despicable practice. Not only because it is defrauding the Social Security budget but also because the driver is often forcec to accept a very low wage and persuaded to carry on claiming benefits in order to be better off than not working at all. CM even reported that a man convicted of stealing trailers still managed to retain his good repute. The Government's response is to close the Manchester and Cardiff Traffic Area Offices (one would have thought that there was enough work for each large city to have its own TAO) and to reduce the strength of the VI. As for the drivers forced to still claim benefit, the plan appears to be to remove their vocational driving licences! I wonder how they will feed their families after that?

Surely we need more effective and comprehensive enforcement coupled with a legal duty on the ICs so that they have to revoke the licence of operators who flout the law. If a cowboy is found to contint.,e operating then his vehicle must be impounded. If this is done then the industry might be able to enjoy decent rates for the job and the public would be safer.

• If you want to sound off about a road transport issue write to features editor Patric Cunnane or fax your views (up to 600 words) on 0181 652 8912.

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People: Patric Cunnane
Locations: Manchester

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