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Motor? Does someone in the idustry deserve a pat on the back, or a dressing down? Drop us a line at Commercial gator, Room H203, Quadrant House, The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS or fax us in 020 8652 8971. Alternatively you can e-mail brianweatherley@rti.ca.uk.
JENSEN MEMORIES
I read your report on the Jensen in your Christmas issue (CM 20 Dec 2001-2 Jan 2002), and I wholly agree with your correspondent's findings.
In the fifties I drove one at the BRS depot In Derby where there were three of them. I drove one on the Scottish trunk with Rolls Royce parts where bulk was more common than weight. The brake pedal was certainly a bit high for comfort with the throttle being a bit sensffive. Great care had to be taken on icy roads in winter, and when it snowed hard it used to get into the cab.
The top speed of the one that I drove was 38-39mph as the unladen weight allowed for the legal 3Orrph.
Above this was illegal and a watchful eye had to be kept open for speed cops, especially in Lancashire, Cumbria and on the A74 after Beattock.
A Madde,
Chaddesden, Derby.
POSITIVE ACTION
I am writing as an International CPC holder who is fed up with the way haulage operators run in Ireland. As you stated in a recent issue, we don't have a Traffic Commissioner here—something which is badly needed. Although we all know red tape can be a nightmare for any business, a TC is a necessity.
The general public all too often complains about the state of roads, the price of fuel, etc. So why don't legitimate operators do the same about cowboy operators? By cowboys I not only mean the ones running without Operator's Licences, but those who won't maintain their vehicles to a roadworthy standard.
I recently followed a very dirty 25-tonne lveco Ford down the M4 travelling towards Mullingar. The vehicle was being driven at approximately 3040mph and in a very dangerous manner. In my opinion a shear pin had broken on the rear axle, causing the rear end to ride on the hard shoulder and the front towards the crown of the road.
I spoke to the operations manager at the firm and was told he would phone the driver to deal with the problem. However, the truck continued up the N4 with traffic building up behind. I rang the firm again and was told where to go, so instead I telephoned the Garda who eventually pulled the truck off the road.
The driver himself was obviously aware the lorry had a severe problem or he would not have been driving so slowly on a motorway, especially in a country where speed knits don't seem to exist.
I was not the only one trying to get this vehicle off the road—other trucks were flashing the driver, who appeared to ignore everyone. Once off the motorway the vehicle became even more dangerous as it was nearly impossible to pass him.
I myself travelled a great deal cut of my way just to ensure he was pulled off the road: I feel I was proved right when he was eventually stopped by the Athlone Garda. OK eventually I succeeded, but the company and the driver now face the prospect of prosecution, all because the operations manager would not listen to me.
Surely it can't have been just because I am a woman? I not only have my CPC but am married to a long-distance driver and I have three sons who are all interested in haulage. In fact, in our house we live transport.
Please, will somebody out there help and see that our industry gets the support it really does need. After all's said and done, everyone complains about high insurance premiums, but is it any wonder with idiots like this on the road? Susan Perry,
Co Westmeath, Erre.
SECURITY FIRST
It is true that 3663 has told commercial drivers visiting its Reading depot that toilet and refreshment facilities are no longer available. It is not true, as you reported last week (CM 10-16 Jan), that the alternatives we su ested refuse drivers access to their facilities.
3663 employs about 1,000 commercial drivers and we are well aware of the problems they experience. Indeed, facilities are available to non-3663 drivers at every other establishment in our national network.
Sadly, we have been obliged to withdraw these facilities at Reading due to increased security measures which, for obvious reasons, I cannot elaborate on.
RHA regional director Geoff Dunning concedes that he has "heard of many other depots doing the same". His assertion that 3663 has an attitude problem is wide of the mark.
When security considerations are paramount inconvenience may result. We are sorry for the people who are inconvenienced, but circumstances have left us with no option.
Alex Fisher ManagIng director, Multi Temp 3663, High Wycombe, Flunks,
EMOTIONAL RESPONSE Emotion inevitably plays a part in applying motoring law, but it can lead to miscarriages of justice. Most of us know of someone who has dozed off at the wheel. Most cases go unnoticed, a salutary warning ti the driver of the care needed ir operating what is a potential killing machine. Unfortunately the law tends to concentrate more on the end result than thE original failing.
Law and justice are often confused. In a notorious recent case the final bill, amounting to millions of pounds, will uttimately be paid by insurance policyholders. The cost of the custodial sentence imposed will be borne by you and I, the taxpayer. The end result will be E driver whose safety on the road will not in any way be improved by the actions of the state.
Despite the publicity given ti such cases, large and heavy loads continue lobe shed from goods vehicles. If nobody is hur then usually no action is taken, even where negligent loading is suspected. Only where a fatalit results is it taken seriously.
Where the outcome of a Stupid act achieves notoriety the general public demands severe retribution, but little thought is given to the innocent victims.
If you are injured by the actions of an uninsured driver, you might get compensation, but if you suffer only financial loss—however great—that is your misfortune.
In the public mind, falling asleep at the wheel is a heinous crime; operating without insurance is seen as a minor offence. And these are just a few examples of injustices to Icx found in the routine application of motoring legislation.
Anthony G Philips, Salisbury, Mts.