Driver's viewpoint
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John Plant has been a professional truck driver for 42 of his 60 years. The kind of loads he delivers include phosphoric acid, a Class 8 dangerous substance. He is one of about 90 drivers employed by S Jones, which is installing seat-belts in all of its trucks. "I think there is a belief among drivers that they are exempt from using seat-belts and after driving all these years without one. I'll admit I wasn't too keen at first," he says. "I think some of the lads thought it was just another gimmick. I realise it is a lot of money for the bosses to fork out, but now that it has been fitted I've become a convert and I do use it. I think they are essential. Mind you, there are a hell of a lot of trucks running about without them at the moment, but I'm glad I'm not in one of them."