Tragic Sequels to Technical Offences
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HARSE penalties imposed on drivers who have committed petty offences frequently result in a state of affairs little better than tragedy, Mr. J. C. Francis, secretary of the United Road Transport Workers' Association, told a representative of The CommercialMotor, following the appearance of last Friday's editorial comment
on the matter. That editorial was a remarkable summing-up regarding questions that constitute a crying scandal," he said.
"We are not upholding those guilty of major offences, but we are standing up for the commercial driver who is apt to get a raw deal over speeding and technical offences," be continued. " Even a driver's employers cannot always realize what is the ultimate penalty inflicted, for it is not only the fine, hut the consequences for the working man."
A list of typical motor-driving summonses taken from the U.R.T.W.A. files showed case after, case where £5 fines had been inflicted, often with the 86 addition of a similar amount for costs. At some courts the defendants were given time to pay, at others they were not But time to pay can be a hollow mockery where the driving licence is suspended. No licence usually means no work. No work, no money.
It is not widely known that the loss of a driving licence counts as " misconduct " for Ministry of Labour purposes, said Mr. Francis, and the unfortunate driver who is out of a job for that reason cannot draw unemployment benefit for six weeks. With household expenses continuing just the same, his chance of being able to pay a fine is slender. Frequently, he will be driven on to public assistance.
Heartless Treatment, Whether licences arc suspended or not, offers to pay as quickly as possible are liable to meet with a blunt refusal. Then what are the consequences? " I am sending for you on Wednesday," concluded one curt note received at the home of a driver who had failed to pay a fine.
Such letters are sent out in unsealed envelopes bearing a halfpenny stamp. It is stated that it has been known for the wife of a driver away on a long journey to receive one of these notes.
Distracted by the thought that, on her husband's return, he might be marched off to the police station with his wages in his pocket, she has rushed to what is euphemistically called the " loan office " in order to obtain the wherewithal for settling. People who know something of the methods of some of the lending gentry can easily form an idea of the misery that may ensue in the endeavour to repay.
In such difficulties, application to the union secretary, in the first instance, is strongly advised.
Further grievances relate to the fact that a long-distance driver, summoned to appear at a court in another part of the country, may easily lose three days' work, in addition to incurring considerable out-of-pocket expenses.