Expert calls for tighter freight haulage safety
Date: 17 July 2007
More should be done to address safety concerns for haulage drivers in the UK, according to an expert.
Frank Heinrich-Jones of FHJ Services, a member of the Joint Action Group on Lorry Theft, says that truck crime has increased since the 1980s.
Speaking to RoadTransport.com, he cited a case a few years ago when trucks containing £200,000 worth of vodka were stolen in Felixstowe.
He said that in 2004 some 84 LGVs were hijacked in the UK, with the methods used including fake police road blocks. The figure increased to 86 hijacks in 2005 and 129 in 2006.
"This is of great concern," he said. "There are health and safety issues for operators. They should be doing risk assessments looking at drivers' protection."
He believes that in-cab gas alarms and deadlocks should be introduced as standard on trucks, which would help keep haulage firm staff safe against attack.
Intelligence unit Truckpol has issued advice to operators on how to fight crime in the freight industry.
Methods include ensuring that staff don't discuss information about loads, routes and drivers on the phone, and (perhaps obvious) making sure keys are not left in the ignition.
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