COMMLNT
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II Any driver who's experienced the terror of a load shifting will welcome the Depart ment of Transport's plan to revise its code of practice, Safety of Loads on Vehicles.
It's not much fun being in a traffic jam because "a lorry has shed its load"; it's even less fun being trapped under 20 tonnes of steel coils because some haulier or driver didn't do his job properly. All the mitigating circumstances in the world won't bring the dead back to life.
Surely being a "professional haulier" entails knowing how to keep a load on the back of your wagon. But if the DIP really wants the load security message to stick it will have to send copies of the revised code to all LGV licencees with their licence renewal reminders.
It will also have to stop dragging its feet and close the loophole that still allows provisional licence holders to learn to drive on unladen trucks. If you want to talk safety, then start at the beginning.
GET STUCK IN!
• Inside this week's CM you'll find your free Say No to 50 sticker. Put it on your truck and drive the message home. You'll also find a campaign petition form on page 45. Get 500 names and we'll award you a year's free subscription to CM.