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Foreign lorries should be safer

Lorry driver unions and vehicle operators are calling for increased information and enforcement in respect of foreign lorries working in the UK.

The Transport &General Workers' Union, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and the Road Haulage Association (RHA) have expressed concern at increasing evidence showing that vehicles visiting the UK are less roadworthy than in the past; that the numbers of offences by foreign lorries is increasing, notably drivers' hours breaches and overloading; and that foreign lorries are now involved in a disproportionately high number of accidents.

FTA chief executive, Richard Turner, said: "The number of foreign lorries working in the UK is constantly rising - something like one in seven of the heaviest vehicles on our roads is from overseas. It is vital that the operating conditions of these vehicles, and the behaviour of their drivers, match the high standards we expect of our home fleet."

In a joint submission to the Road Haulage Task Group, FTA and RHA called for foreign lorries working in the UK to be required to register details of ownership and vehicle records in order to assist the work of UK enforcement authorities. At present VOSA and the police have instant access to information about UK-based vehicles but little or no information regarding foreign vehicles.

For the full story go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk

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