Frightening Info About Dangerous High Sided Vehicles

Thursday, 3. April 2014

I was shocked to hear on Radio 5 Live that there is no-one responsible for advising drivers of high sided vehicles when it is safe or unsafe to drive in high winds.

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Drivers of trucks explained that during the recent high winds there was no agency responsible for stopping them from driving, in fact under pressure from their employers, drivers found themselves driving in highly dangerous conditions. Whilst employers said that they left it to the drivers to assess whether it was dangerous the drivers themselves admitted to driving in treacherous conditions for fear of losing their jobs.

They also admitted to being blown into the middle lane of motorways causing problems for car drivers. One driver explained that there was no legislation, nor were any warnings posted on the motorway warning Matrix signs warning of the dangers. As a result of this Auto Express decided to carry out an investigation to see who is responsible and why it doesn’t seem to be working.

They first spoke to the Highways Agency who denied responsibility and referred them to the Department for Transport for ‘any legislation that exists on this’. Passing the buck the DfT suggested that as this was health and safety in the workplace that it must surely be the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive.

They, in turn, said it wasn’t a matter for them, go to the DfT or the Department of Business Innovation and Skill (BIS). What? Having already tried the DfT without success they moved on to BIS who suggested that they try the DfT who could contact the Highways Agency or one of their partners. So there you have it – bloody useless.

So whilst the drivers of high sided vehicles dice with death make sure that when it is windy you don’t travel too close to the side of a truck or you might find yourself sharing the cab with the driver or more seriously involved in a very nasty accident. By Graham Hill