Deeds, Not Words
Page 23
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WHEN Mr. Graham Page raised the question of heavy lorries in the Commons last week, reports were carried in national newspapers, on radio and television. The public got the impression of a slashing attack on road haulage—which is fast becoming "public enemy No. 1 ".
A careful perusal of Hansard showed Mr. Page to have a very different intention. He was concerned with road safety, and particularly with goods vehicle braking systems.
Almost every week now some national outlet for public information makes a distorted attack on road transport. These sources are fast conditioning the public. The image of road transport stinks, and the example of Mr. Page illustrates why. The industry's case is not understood by the handful of journalists chiefly involved. If the Road Haulage Association and Traders Road Transport Association adopted a less defensive attitude towards these national outlets, industry might see a fairer picture emerging. If the national journalists are not won over by a more positive and direct approach, the industry's image will never improve.
Frankly, the two associations sometimes seem more willing to talk about bettering the public's image of road transport than actively to improve it by getting to know the national journalists. This insidious battle will not be won by brave words.
The Commercial Motor can only comment on the facts as we know them. That is what we have done. If we are being unfair to our hard-working friends in the two associations we shall be very happy to publish facts which prove us wrong. But on such facts as we know, it seems to this journal that the two associations are falling down—in this respect—on their duty to their members.