He complained that at just £300, UK fines were considerably lower than other countries - citing France, where they were up to £26,000.
He said:”That disparity results in an indirect and unfair cost on British haulage companies operating in Europe, while providing an advantage to European companies operating in the UK.”
How many British hauliers and drivers have been fined in France or anywhere else in Europe since this interpretation of the weekly rest regulations were enforced?
How many East European companies or drivers have been fined in France or elsewhere in Europe for the same thing?
How many British truck drivers now have their full weekly rest in their cabs, while away from home?
If they want to do something useful to level the playing field, would be better to strictly enforce the cabotage regulations, including the bit about wages for posted workers coming under the laws of the country they are posted to, and push to stop the proposed changes. They could also crack down on the flagging out of trucks, which basically operate in the UK, without an official operating centre or safety inspection regime, doing just enough to abide by the cabotage regulations.
They could also push for more official parking areas, so these trucks can actually be moved to proper parking areas.