Concerns raised over foreign lorry drivers
Date: 30 July 2007
Concern is increasing within the road haulage industry about the attitude of foreign truck drivers to British road rules.
That is according to a new report from the Daily Express, which claims that whether it is breaking speeding regulations or missing court dates some drivers from the continent flout the law.
Over the course of a year, the paper claimed, 984 drivers from overseas escaped punishment for speeding in Kent as they were able to travel back to Europe before receiving fines.
Earlier this month the Highways Agency announced a collaboration with Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Kent County Council and Medway Council to help improve lorry driver safety.
This included speed spot-checks and electronic speed signs on motorways as well as a multi-lingual CD to teach drivers from Europe about UK road rules.
But Geoff Dossetter from the Freight Transport Association told the Express stronger measures such as on-the-spot fines and more stringent haulage vehicle safety measures were needed.
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency revealed recently that during its international freight roadside checks, 22 immediate prohibitions were issued on the total of 56 road haulage vehicles checked.
User Comments
No Comments