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To: The Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP
Stop The HGV Road Carnage
Dear Minister, having recently been involved in a serious road accident collision with a loaded articulated HGV whilst driving my car on the motorway and, having either witnessed or, had reported similar incidents up and down the country, I respectfully request that an investigation into the driving styles of both indigenous and foreign drivers of HGV vehicles.
I have been made aware of, through the various Police forces throughout the UK, that most HGV drivers are having ridiculously unachievable delivery deadlines imposed upon them by their employers and, as such, are constantly breaking the current UK driving laws which then leads to fatigue and, ultimately, carnage on the roads.
I would also like to see far greater fines imposed upon both the HGV drivers and, their employers
I have been made aware of, through the various Police forces throughout the UK, that most HGV drivers are having ridiculously unachievable delivery deadlines imposed upon them by their employers and, as such, are constantly breaking the current UK driving laws which then leads to fatigue and, ultimately, carnage on the roads.
I would also like to see far greater fines imposed upon both the HGV drivers and, their employers
Why is this important?
This situation cannot be left unchecked (The UK government has been successful in reducing the patrol of roads by local Police forces to almost nil and, as a driver that drives some 25-30,000 miles per year in the UK, can certainly vouch for the lack of Police patrols and, the increasing carnage caused by poor driving standards of HGV drivers.
My particular collision was caused by a female HGV "Tramper" (trampers live in the HGV vehicle for many days and sometimes, weeks) who, at 60mph, drove into the side of my car causing us to be flipped 4 times across 3 lanes of the motorway then, taking out 60 metres of the central reservation steelwork. We were cut from our car after being treated for only minor injuries (Luckily) We then learnt that the HGV driver had initially tried to drive away from the crash site then, after being interviewed by Police, admitted to falling asleep at the wheel. She had been driving for some 34 hours and had tampered with the Tachograph display (the tachograph machine is a legal requirement in most HGV vehicles which monitors the driving habits of the current driver. There are imposed break periods and "Stop/Start" recordings within the mechanism. Unfortunately, many drivers (it would appear), have learnt how to override this mechanism and, hence, can drive much further and over longer periods of time).
Having researched this situation with 3 Police forces in the UK, I have sourced that very few HGV drivers are ever tasked with proving their working patterns (indeed, some Police Officers are not trained in Tachograph use for HGV purposes). Further, and on the admission of several Police Officers, most foreign HGV drivers, when causing infringements to UK road law, are sent on their way without any charge, fine or loss of vehicle after causing mayhem with other road users. Several Police Officers being heard to say that "The paperwork is too time consuming and, the Courts will not allow us to bring these charges before them due to the fact that the drivers will be long gone into their home country before it has a chance of being heard in the Courts".
This is unacceptable - the laws should be changed to allow the Police to operate as their counterparts in other countries. Other countries Police forces can, after such misdemeanours, confiscate vehicles, impose roadside fines, detain HGV drivers for court appearances next day and even, summon the employers of that particular HGV Driver to appear in court also.
There is an increasing number of HGV road accidents whilst being driven by poorly trained and badly managed so-called Professional drivers.
This needs to STOP.
My particular collision was caused by a female HGV "Tramper" (trampers live in the HGV vehicle for many days and sometimes, weeks) who, at 60mph, drove into the side of my car causing us to be flipped 4 times across 3 lanes of the motorway then, taking out 60 metres of the central reservation steelwork. We were cut from our car after being treated for only minor injuries (Luckily) We then learnt that the HGV driver had initially tried to drive away from the crash site then, after being interviewed by Police, admitted to falling asleep at the wheel. She had been driving for some 34 hours and had tampered with the Tachograph display (the tachograph machine is a legal requirement in most HGV vehicles which monitors the driving habits of the current driver. There are imposed break periods and "Stop/Start" recordings within the mechanism. Unfortunately, many drivers (it would appear), have learnt how to override this mechanism and, hence, can drive much further and over longer periods of time).
Having researched this situation with 3 Police forces in the UK, I have sourced that very few HGV drivers are ever tasked with proving their working patterns (indeed, some Police Officers are not trained in Tachograph use for HGV purposes). Further, and on the admission of several Police Officers, most foreign HGV drivers, when causing infringements to UK road law, are sent on their way without any charge, fine or loss of vehicle after causing mayhem with other road users. Several Police Officers being heard to say that "The paperwork is too time consuming and, the Courts will not allow us to bring these charges before them due to the fact that the drivers will be long gone into their home country before it has a chance of being heard in the Courts".
This is unacceptable - the laws should be changed to allow the Police to operate as their counterparts in other countries. Other countries Police forces can, after such misdemeanours, confiscate vehicles, impose roadside fines, detain HGV drivers for court appearances next day and even, summon the employers of that particular HGV Driver to appear in court also.
There is an increasing number of HGV road accidents whilst being driven by poorly trained and badly managed so-called Professional drivers.
This needs to STOP.
