MP BACKS CM CAMPAIGN
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David Chidgey, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, Hants, says that HGV driver training and the minimum age qualification of 21 need to be scrutinised. -It is clear that driver training standards in the 1.11( have fallen far behind best practice." he says. "Commercial drivers are valuable to our industry and our economy; we cannot afford to be losing them in their thousands every year. We need a fresh start to introduce high-quality driver training through a national training strategy; we also need to be able to offer training courses to young people coming into the industry."
Chidgey believes that with solid training—and the necessary dedication and skill—there is no reason why a 20-year-old driver could not do the job. He says: -We need to be able to reassure insurance companies that highly skilled drivers are as good a risk, whether they are 20 or 25 years old."
So the need for a centralised driver training body must be addressed, and the debate around lowering the HGV qualification age must get under way. "1 am taking these matters up with the government," Chidgey reports. "It is essential that we address the shortcomings in the industry quickly and effectively. I am not prepared to allow these matters to be kicked into touch."