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French corredion
Page 68
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What a month! Fourteen 'maverick' hauliers, with the support of the Road Haulage Association, traipse off to Westminster to discuss the WorkingTune Directive and disturb the busy schedule of Plymouth MP and Transport Minister David Jamieson. I hope it wasn't a wasted journey. It does seem, however, that the advantage we owner-drivers may receive under the WorkingTime Directive is creating envy among larger operators. What a shame -remember guys: united we stand;divided we fall.
That's of little comfort to the haulier, featured in a recent issue of CM,who was 'fined' €6,000 for offences while in France.Actually, I think you'll discover it was only bail money to cover any costs a French court may impose at a later date. In these situations, the haulier will normally receive a letter, in French, explaining when and where the case will be heard, advising the use of a French legal representative and explaining that the case will be dealt with in the defendant's absence.
It wouldn't be the first time that such a letter had been thrown in the bin.tecause it was foreign'. Unfortunately, if the defendant fails to turn up in court,the next letter usually informs the haulier what penalties have been imposed. Of course, this is usually the €6,000 and maybe a bit more. Ignore this letter at your peril: the next trick is that the French authorities may inform our enforcement agencies and the offender may have a little visitor.
If, on the other hand, the French court rules in favour of the defendants and actually returns some of the 'fine', a star is seen shining above the haulier's yard and three wise men, driving Renaults, soon arrive bearing gifts.
When you are stopped in France.the gendarmes usually carry a multi-lingual offences book to explain what offences you have committed.They then simply add up the maximum fines that can be imposed by the court for each offence and that is your bail (or, if you like,'fine') money. The best advice, of course, is `if you can't pay the fine, don't do the crime'.! sometimes wonder why the same system isn't used here. It's very effective, after all.
'This month's epic voyage began on a stormy night in Portsmouth with the ferry arriving late. You could almost hear the restaurant crew silently screaming 'go to bed!' as they served our late dinner.
I chose to take the autoroute t Nice at a total cost of £110. But it was almost two hours faster than the usual route and the fuel gauge went down very slowly.
Our Highways Agency should take note that the French are replacing central steel crash barriers with single or double concrete barriers.The single barrier has its height increased by the addition of plastic paddles while the doubles have hedges planted in them. Both ensure that the car driver is not dazzled or distracted by oncoming vehicles.! note that in the double concrete barriers on the M25. weeds are being cultivated. Most helpful.
Nice: the millionaires' playground! Sunseeker luxury superyachts from Poole are moored at the marina, and Riviera Radio broadcasts music and news (in English).
Then to Marseille to load fruit little internal job, good rate -then into Germany for another reload and dry freight back to the UK.
The return journey can only be done through Luxembourg. Fuel is 35p/ lit net and cigarettes are £20 for 200.You have to ask: why is Luxembourg possibly the richest country in the EU when life's necessities are so cheap? •