WHO'S TO BLAME
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• Who should be responsible in law for offences committed by temporary HGV drivers: the agency or the operator employing them?
This simple problem seems to have no simple answer. Far too often it is the haulier who finds himself responsible for such offences.
Most transport firms use temps as a necessity, but little can be done to ensure that temporary staff are not violating drivers' hours — even before they start work.
The horror stories about temps are numerous. One BRS depot says it has been sent very inexperienced drivers, scruffy drivers, and downright bad drivers.
Many hauliers cite examples of drivers turning up to do a whole day's shift having only just finished a night shift for another firm. Such worries have prompted many companies, such as Parcelforce, to introduce systems which require drivers to sign declarations saying they will not exceed working hours.
The Road Haulage Association considered campaigning to force the onus of responsibility onto the agency 0.