Recovery — the right rate
Page 22
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I NOTE the article on page 15 of Commercial Motor, June 18, on MoTs for recovery.
Indeed John Hancock, of Crane Fruehauf is to be commended for speaking out on this subject, although we are naturally all aware he has a vested interested as a supplier of recovery equipment.
He states that the "recovery industry" provides an essential service: "At this point he also forgets or indeed may not be aware that by the very nature of our business we work for customers who we do not know, and on many occasions do not even receive payments for services rendered.
Mr Hancock also recommends that expert advice should be sought from the following:
(a) The police — as far as I am aware representation has been sought with many police forces, and with reference to Scotland a fair proportion do not wish to know the problems of recovery operators.
(b) Association of Insurance Examiners . What advice can be sought from them? They do not even wish to pay realistic recovery or storage charges to operators (bearing in mind DoT storage rates are E4 per 24 hours; insurers are looking for storage of 50p to £1 for the same period).
(c) Department of Transport — What advice can be sought from them? I have a letter in my possession dated August 7, 1978 concerning trade plate legislation; it states that as primary legislation is required amendments will be included in a package of changes. Probably in one or two years. It is now almost five years and still no amendments.
(d) Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators . Avro has since its inception followed certain paths. As a member I follow its views 100 per cent and indeed I do sincerely agree with Mr Hancock, but until we have some legislation and realistic charges, things will not improve.
The public only want their vehicle towed as cheaply as possible. They are not concerned about safety or anything else, only cost. The article should not have been headed "MoTs for recovery" but "What price safety?" JAMES RILEY Lanark