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Isn't it time for training to step up a Level?
Page 18
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I OPERATE an LGV training company and find that private candidates and companies are unable to invest in a training package covering driving empty and laden trailers, day and night-time driving, and moving in confined areas.
These cannot be covered in three or four training days. Training a novice driver in a unladen vehicle in four to five days is a negative approach, as only the best candidates will pass their test first time. All instructors are aware of the unusual test pass against the odds, and the percentage pass rate of their local DSA testing station, which remains strangely constant.
On successfully passing their DSA driving test, first time, after this minimal training, the candidate is licensed to drive a fully laden vehicle.
But at least newly qualified drivers in this country have received some training, unlike some of our imported drivers who are responsible for high-volume vehicle damage and road accidents, but are cheaper to employ. I well remember the driver's mate who learnt his trade vehicle loading, sheeting, route learning (prior to satnav) prior to becoming a driver. Those days are long gone.
All training should be completed with loaded trailers, with a far more intensive reversing requirement to the test. The highest volume of minor accidents involve reversing. As instructors, we require candidates to meet high standards, while seeing LGV drivers drive in a manner far below the required test standard. Candidates are required to drive while on test at a level experienced drivers would find hard to achieve.
As a teenager my mother was killed by a lorry driver. As a traffic police officer over a 15-year period. a vehicle examiner and tachograph analyst, I dealt with numerous offending LGV drivers for a variety of serious incidents and accidents. The impending Driver CPC has missed the opportunity to re-examine the driving ability of existing licence holders, and some seriously need re-examining.
With the EU legislation due to be enacted this year for PCV drivers, and 2009 for LGV drivers, is it not about time government training grants were made available to assist prospective drivers to receive the detailed training required, to produce the professional driver the EU seeks for the future?
Nigel Simms Owner Pembrokeshire Road Training