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TCs crack down on drivers using mobile phones
Page 14
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POLICE FORCES AND Traffic Commissioners throughout the country are cracking down on truck drivers using hand-held mobile phones while driving, according to Scottish Traffic Commissioner Joan Aitken.
During the course of a Dumfries public inquiry, the TC said all the Its were now getting reports from police forces up and down the country about drivers using hand-held mobiles on the move. So far Aitken had dealt with three drivers one of whoin was an owner-operator and suspended their LGV driving licences for 10 days. The TCs are taking an extremely serious view of this conduct because deaths have been caused by truckers using mobiles. In one case the driver was jailed for around four years.
Even hands-free mobile phones have been shown to be a distraction, and drivers should be advised to stop before using the phone, she said. If that message could be sent out to drivers it could protect them from real financial hardship caused by the loss of their vocational licences for a period.
The TC concluded that she would like to get through to the families and loved ones of lorry drivers to make them understand that making emotionally charged phone calls to them while they were driving was dangerous as it could lead to a loss of concentration.
Aitken highlighted a case in which a driver was telephoned by his family to tell hint that his mother had died.