What does the industry think?
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Chris Roe Managing director Alert HGV Training Leicester Top of Roe's wish list for 2010 is an immediate change to the muddle that is 'periods of availability (PON' under the Working Time Regulations.
He says: "The government should do away with POA because there is so much confusion over it and other duties. It's just not working."
He would also like to see much better compliance by hauliers over speed limits even if it means tougher penalties.
"I think that's crucial. For example, my drivers are told not to exceed 50mph anywhere not even on the motorway. Not only is it saving fuel, there are no accidents and no insurance claims. When I go to potential customers and say this, they do look at me a bit strangely.
"But it's all about the planning and reeducating the drivers about the benefits of slower driving. I think it may need something from central government to make it happen."
Paul Arthurton Owner Paul Arthurton Transport
Attleborough, Norfolk With his 'green' hat on, Arthurton believes one of the best things the government could do in 2010 is 'incentivise' the switch to Euro-4 and Euro-5 emission standards.
"Maybe by lowering the road tax, or allowing hauliers to claim back a certain amount of pence per litre on fuel," he says.
In some parts of Europe the authorities offer reduced VAT payments, for example, if operators use Euro-5 vehicles. He adds: "The government has got to provide incentives for greener running."
More also needs to be done to crack down on foreign drivers who flout regulations on drivers' hours, and there needs to be better enforcement of standards across the board.
But the thing Arthurton would like to change above all else in the new year is the loophole in bankruptcy laws that allows directors of failed firms to resume trading under a new name within days of being forced to close down with considerable debts.
"It's disgraceful," he says. "Any director or senior manager of any company not just haulage involved in bankruptcy should be banned from taking a similar position for at least 12 months."
Despite this, he confesses to some optimism for the year ahead "thanks to the quality of the people working in the industry".