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Drivers asleep on the job

23rd August 1980, Page 27
23rd August 1980
Page 27
Page 27, 23rd August 1980 — Drivers asleep on the job
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SINCE "cabbing it" is back in vogue again, Mr Swingler (CM August 2) may be interested in one professional driver's views on it. During the Thirties arid Forties it was practised widely.

That was until the Ministry of Transport started to act against it. I well remember Ministry inspectors turfing drivers out of cabs at night in a Manchester lorry park telling the drivers concerned to find accommodation away from their lorries as they were breaking the law.

Now we have tailor-made sleepers, a Continental importa tion I believe, and after 'spend ing ten or eleven hours daily in his work area with all the con comitant noises and smells of diesel fumes, etc, a driver is expected to sleep on the job.

Is it pertinent or impertinent to suggest that all engaged in road haulage — managers, owners, cab sleepers all back up staff, etc — that they sleep on the job, too?

No, I firmly agree with Jack Ashwell that a break from the noisesome area of his daily work is beneficial to any driver.

However, from the owner's standpoint it's to his advantage.

How nice to have a driver asleep on the iob! It means a nice quick, start at dawn — less downtime and quioker turnround. Surely Mr Swingler has not overlooked that!

MICHAEL FOGARTY Reading, Berks

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Organisations: Ministry of Transport
Locations: Manchester

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