FTA: Operators should be given chance to recover own freight vehicles
Date: 26 February 2008
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) wishes to ensure that logistics companies have a chance to recover their vehicles before the police are called in.
In the past, operators have been obliged to accept the service of the police to recover freight vehicles even when their own agent could have recovered them more quickly and efficiently.
Draft regulations supported by the FTA would ensure that this does not happen in the future.
"Of course we recognise the absolute necessity for damaged or broken down vehicles on roads managed by the Highways Agency to be removed or repaired as quickly as possible, and with the minimum of inconvenience to other road users," said the FTA's head of road network management policy, Malcolm Bingham.
"But, in the interests of both efficiency and economy, vehicle operators must first be allowed the opportunity to make their own recovery arrangements. If that cannot be achieved within a reasonable timescale, recognising the nature and extent of the accident or the breakdown, then of course the police or the Highways Agency should deal with the problem."
The group also called for more information for haulage operators so they can understand exactly what influences the decisions of Highways Agency traffic officers at logistics vehicle breakdown incidents.
For more of the latest haulage and transport news, please visit the Haulage Exchange Haulage News page - all the latest for owner operators and haulage companies.
User Comments
No Comments