'Not AU Blame on Lorry Drivers'
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From Our Political Correspondent 'THE Transport and General Workers Union has asked Mr. Marples if it can be allowed to give its views on the recent fog fiasco on the Ml. The Union I understand, accepts that there was bad driving involved—but completely rejects that all the blame rests with lorry drivers.
While the Minister's inquiry substantially concerns police reports of crashes on the MI and other important roads, the Union believes that it could be of general assistance to him. In particular, it is opposed to 40 m.p.h. speed limits. Its view is that a loaded eightwheeled articulated vehicle could need up to 400 ft. to stop at this speed. In had conditions it could be much farther.
The Union is taking a lead among organizations interested in the outcome of the Minister's inquiry as it relates to commercial vehicles. British Road Services are not at present making observations to the Ministry, nor is the Road Haulage Association. It appears that the operators of heavies have not been annoyed enough to protest about it few suggestions that heavy lorries were mainly to blame for the incidents.
This week's meetings of the R.H.A. executive and national council were expected to discuss the matter. Before the meetings, however, the view was that there had been insufficient detailed evidence about the extent to which commercial vehicles and their drivers had been involved.
The Association pointed out that the Ministry had not suggested that lorry drivers were primarily to blame. Although they felt slightly annoyed at heavies being picked on in some reports, they would like the actual facts before being drawn into a controversy.