Get tough on cowboy says survey
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• More than seven out of 10 hauliers want tougher 0-licence laws to crack down on the industry's cowboy operators, and six out of 10 would be prepared to accept more roadside and operating-centre vehicle checks to help improve their public image.
Following Commercial Motor's pre-Christmas story exclusive, that the Department of Transport is reviewing the 0-licence system to "determine the scope for reducing the burdens of the present system on operators," we have carried out a special opinion poll to see what road transport operators think should be done
to improve the law.
The majority of the 200 firms we contacted accepted that the haulage industry is held in low esteem and wanted to see more encouragement for responsible operators. For instance, 67.3% said that Licensing Authorities should be empowered to impound an operator's vehicle if he or she breaks the law.
The Freight Transport Association says that the Commercial Motor survey (see pages 14-15) "confirms the underlying feeling in the transport industry that there needs to be more enforcement — and more selective enforcement too —
targetting the cowboys."
The Road Haulage Association says that the survey "endorses our previously stated view that the haulage industry needs more properly regulated enforcement, and not more deregulation. It is the only way to deal with the cowboys."
Although most operators and both trade associations agree that the road transport industry suffers from too many, complex operating regulations, a DTp push for fewer burdens, less enforcement and general deregulation could be dangerous.
More than six out of 10 respondents in our survey favour the industry policing itself. They feel that the noose should be tightened, not loosened, as long as hauliers have more involvement in the way the hangman works.
Several respondents suggested that FTA or RHA advisors could be appointed to monitor the law's application, to help train police and traffic examiners, and possibly to sit on some regional disciplinary committees, provided that there are adequate safeguards against corruption and partiality.
The RHA is far less keen on self-regulation than the FTA, arguing that the Government should use its huge surplus of tax revenue from the transport industry to properly fund the policing of the business.
According to the RHA: "It is important that enforcement should always be, and be seen to be, fair and even. Any traffic examiner worth his salt knows what to look out for."