THE PROFESSIONALS
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• Your editorial comments and the report entitled 'Inspectors slam Care Standards' (CM, 7 March) points to a rather sad state of affairs in the transport industry.
It is correct that economic pressure and the need to meet tight operating schedules are active constituents in the faults found by the MoT inspectors. Unfortunately, present and past governments are also to blame for they have ignored professionalism in the industry and the need for 'teeth' to counter those who intentionally flout the law.
The Institute of Road Transport Engineers has long promoted professional training and education in the transport industry and the majority of our members are hard working professionals who do their best to keep vehicles in safe and efficient condition. However, there are those who work outside the legal requirements who give the whole industry a bad name; there are many who would claim to be professionals because they hold a CPC, but in reality this is sometimes not the case.
Until legislation is adopted that prevents the unqualified 'home mechanic' or operator who can get around the operator licence requirements, from working in the transport industry, there will not be the professionalism that the industry should have.
We need to have rules similar to the old professions, where the transport manager can be 'struck off if he acts in a non-professional manner. We must stop providing so many loop-holes that just about anyone can run and maintain a fleet of vehicles. As an Institute we will continue to strive to raise standards throughout the industry.
D M Ivison Chief Executive IRTE London