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Editor slams drivers
Page 8
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BRITISH international lorry drivers were criticised at last week's six monthly meeting of the Road Haulage Association's international group in London last week.
A picture of "shaky looking vehicles and tawdry looking drivers" was painted by guest speaker lain Sherriff, CM's editor.
They down three or four pints of beer in an hour on the ferry from Dover and arrive on the Continent unshaven and in dirty overalls.
"The way British drivers bribe themselves across international frontiers is unbelievable," said Mr Sherriff.
He made it clear that he was not tarring all British drivers with the same brush. And he urged the RHA's international group to recruit some of the better owner-drivers. "The right ones, well vetted, would strengthen you," he said.
At present the group has 130 members, mostly fleet operators. British drivers were damaging the reputation of both their firm and the country abroad. "Something's got to be done and it's your responsibility," he declared.
Better training and discipline were needed. If drivers were given overalls and an RHA international badge, that would help generate esprit de corps and a pride in the job, he said.
RHA chairman Russ Peters, from Martintrux in Essex, agreed that the image of British drivers has "undoubtedly gone down" in recent years.
"We should be concerned," added Cliff Wilson of Wilsons Transport, Boroughbridge. Drivers not only drink on the ferry, some then drive non-stop to Italy. "They are a danger not only to themselves but to every other road user."