Raw deal for drivers
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• Many drivers are being unfairly accused for using overloaded vehicles because the authorities take the easy course instead of prosecuting consignors, transport lawyer Martin Jones alleges.
He says that it is always difficult to prove a consignor was both aware and the cause of an overloading offence, while "it is easier to go for the haulier, because he has used the vehicle and has no defence in saying he did not know".
Jones believes that the way to hit those "morally to blame" is to make consignors provide more written details of their loads.
Jones vehemently disagreed with Green Party transport spokeswoman Jan Clarke, who told the RHA last week that hauliers should be fined more heavily for overloading offences. "This would just perpetuate the problem," he says. "It is simply too glib."
Clarke also suggested night, area and weekend bans to improve the environment.