WEATHERW1SE • Having seen on television the carnage caused in
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the fog on Friday 25 November, I have to comment on the responsibility of both the haulage contractors and the drivers involved in the accidents.
As far as the haulage contractors are concerned I think a lead could be taken from our own company. The feed-back which we were getting from our drivers was that the conditions were not conducive to safe driving, so a decision was taken to park our whole fleet up at their nearest available park and not proceed until conditions improved. Fortunately all of my vehicles arrived back at base intact, with drivers that were grateful for being taken off the road and out of the chaos. Also all of my custom
ers, although unhappy at not having their deliveries on time, were kept fully informed of the situation and agreed that the load was better late then not arriving at all.
As to the drivers, I cannot understand the mentality of a man who thinks it is more important to get to his destination as soon as possible, regardless of the human suffering either to his own family, should he get seriously injured, or someone else should his vehicle be involved in an accident.
I am convinced that the HGV test should be taken with a fully-loaded vehicle and the only way a driver could obtain his Class I licence should be by passing his test at the maximum weight. It is impossible to simulate the effect of 38,000kg pushing at speed should an emergency stop be needed.
William Whyte, William Whyte Bulk Haulage, Ashbourne, Derbyshire.