It all relies on money
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"EU regulations on road transport, particularly on working conditions, are not only insufficient; they are also, and above all, extremely poorly enforced."
Is anyone out there remotely surprised by this statement? The only unexpected thing is that this admission of failure comes from none other than the EC in its own transport policy White Paper. By the end of the year it plans to submit proposals on harmonising controls and penalties to ensure fairer and stricter enforcement across the EU.
Let's take the word "fairer" first. It's clear not everyone in the industry thinks the 0-licensing system, whereby Traffic Commissioners can be investigator, judge and jury, is fair. Moreover, as witnessed in this week's news, the methods by which enforcement authorities can gain evidence against a haulier are the subject of fierce debate. But whatever the circumstances, when it comes to road traffic enforcement it doesn't matter who generates the evidence— a "fair cop" should mean just that.