WELL DONE!
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I think that Commercial Motor should have a "Jolly Well Done & Many Thanks" award, and I nominate Renault and Staffordshire CV for the first one.
Two weeks ago one of my European drivers rang in to say he'd got a problem—he had broken a Swiss street-light lens when parking up for the night and the police had come along in the morning and breathalysed him.
They had then taken him to a hospital for blood tests, taken the truck keys and taken him into custody.
He was told he was over the limit and could not drive in Switzerland or leave until he had paid a 2000 Swiss Franc fine, which he had not got.
Many phone calls later nobody in Switzerland seemed able to help. Later that night I was speaking to our local Renault dealer about another matter when I asked if they would be able to help. First thing the following morning Dave Watts from Staffordshire CV rang to check what the situation was. I explained and he said to leave it with him.
Ten minutes later Bernard Faupel from Renault Dunstable rang to see what he and Renault could do to help. Within minutes he was on the phone to the Swiss police finding out exactly what the problems were and if there was a solution to get me my truck and driver back.
Eventually it was agreed Renault in Switzerland would send a car with two drivers plus the money for the fine and some running money for the driver, pay the fine and drive my truck and driver to the border where he could legally take charge of the truck again.
While all this was happening Bernard Faupel kept me up to date with exactly what the situation was. I don't know what we would have done without Renault.
Tracey Lakin, Lakin transport, Congleton, Cheshire.