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Truck safety worsens

1st June 1995, Page 10
1st June 1995
Page 10
Page 10, 1st June 1995 — Truck safety worsens
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by Ian Wylie III The road safety record of owner-drivers is seriously deteriorating, according to Greater Manchester Police, who claim that tachograph-related offences are increasing at an alarming rate.

Two thirds of the 69 trucks stopped during a 12-hour check on the M62 last week were found to have defects. Nine were served with immediate prohibitions, including a 24tonne tipper truck which had seven major defects— each enough to warrant an immediate ban. Another 17 trucks were served with delayed prohibitions and other drivers were given verbal warnings.

According to chief inspector Neil Longsden, head of Greater Manchester's motorway unit, the seriousness of vehicle and driver offences is also worsening, particularly among owner-drivers.

"The one-man band is trying to keep his rates competitive by cutting corners," he says, "and the pressure some owner-operators are under is encouraging many to take a gamble with tachograph legislation." One driver stopped by police during the check had travelled from the north of Scotland to Old Trafford via Liverpool without stopping.

Officers were joined for the spot check by representatives from the Health & Safety Executive, Customs & Excise and the Department of Social Security, which found four drivers working while claiming sickness benefit and another drawing unemployment benefit. Greater Manchester Police has been carrying out spot checks every two months but chief inspector Longsden warns that checks will become more frequent over the summer.

The worrying results from the Manchester check come just weeks after VI examiners estimated that half of all UK drivers are tampering with their tachos (CM 11-17 May).


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