eagerbeaver:
If you cant go a few days without alcohol, then you have a problem in my book.
Well my book states different! I’m having my second of maybe three, depending how I feel. Done 14 1/2 hour shift, 9.35 drive and got 12 hours off! What’s the problem with that? I’m chilling out and will be 100% sober at 08:00 in the morning 
Was talking to a stobart driver about securing timber. Basically he said they just do it how their bosses tell them and if they get pulled the company pays the fine. It’s shocking that such a big firm acts like a cowboy outfit. If I was the DVSA I’d be driving past and pulling every one with the curtain straps all pointing straight down (showing they hadn’t had to do some up at an angle because internals were in the way). They give the industry a bad name.
Tris:
Was talking to a stobart driver about securing timber. Basically he said they just do it how their bosses tell them and if they get pulled the company pays the fine. It’s shocking that such a big firm acts like a cowboy outfit. If I was the DVSA I’d be driving past and pulling every one with the curtain straps all pointing straight down (showing they hadn’t had to do some up at an angle because internals were in the way). They give the industry a bad name.
Wtf has strapping loads got too do with reversing down a toll road whilst drunk , but as your on the subject of strapping I was never told how to strap a load , I just used my common sense , on the subject of vosa , I drove for them for 8/9 yrs or whatever and they never pulled me or showed any interest in me / my load etc , makes you wonder while we’re getting stories of every stobart being pulled 
( I followed 2 tauts out of Carlisle this week , jct 44 n/ b this week with 2 vosa people carriers on slip road and nothing , no pull for them 
I’m sure though my post will get dismissed as it won’t fit 99% of people’s agendas on her 
, I’m up Carlisle way on a regular basis , always passing check points and I’ve seen 1 , yes one truck in a checkpoint with all the trucks going n/s bound , don’t add up does it too the stories of trucks being pulled left right and centre
And as for they give the industry a bad name , I can vouch for them being far from perfect but I’ve drove for plenty of firms and a fair few of them I was pulled on a regular basis too the extent the boss told us too use a different route whilst returning too the depot to avoid there check point
Thing is Dri- would you be happy to blow into a test at 08.00?
Because if you blow over, you are illegal to drive, simples. Plus you would probably get sacked. Why take the risk?
eagerbeaver:
I would be very happy to do an alcohol test before every shift, and there is no reason why it should not be implemented by law.If you are driving wagons during the week, don’t drink. If you cant go a few days without alcohol, then you have a problem in my book.
Me and you are going to disagree here EagerB mate.
If somebody other than the law came at me with a breathlyzer, I would be highly offended.
Why should I be put in the same category as a ■■■■ head who can not make sure he is fit to drive next day?
I would tell them if they thought I was over limit to go and get the law, otherwise poke it.
As I have said many times, drivers are too willing to roll over and put up with anything, I will not have my professional integrity questioned by some pompous little self important 2at in an office…end of.
I like a pint sometimes when parked up, and I will argue all day that there is nothing wrong with that.
In real terms I could (and do, quite often) go without one for a while, not a problem.
All this knee jerk reaction zero tolerance ■■■■■■■■ is not necessary, it is just like everything else in this country where this is proposed…An easier option to actually Policing and upholding the law. 
Rog270:
Ive been doing only when have to do agency work for Stobarts Dagenham… Visiting Their Rugby Depot …I’ve told my experience of working for them on this site their flagrant abuse of the law…and in all that time have only met drivers who have a limited knowledge of the English language… For my true insight on this company only one member chose to ridicule my comments which are based on fact…EH …Mr Colin Scottish. Where is your comment on this one…
Sorry i took a holiday a 2 week holiday in lanzarote so my comment shall come.I now know were your comments came from just before a went away i had to put 2 of there trailers on to bays in our depot.The driving is shocking and i also raised it with management but went on a jolly before i got the answer.But i will not be at Stobarts for much longer am going to do my ADR refresher then see whats about if there is no ADR am going back on the walking floors or tippers.
Tris:
Was talking to a stobart driver about securing timber. Basically he said they just do it how their bosses tell them and if they get pulled the company pays the fine. It’s shocking that such a big firm acts like a cowboy outfit. If I was the DVSA I’d be driving past and pulling every one with the curtain straps all pointing straight down (showing they hadn’t had to do some up at an angle because internals were in the way). They give the industry a bad name.
They have stuck EN12642-XL stickers on all their trailers now, so they are in the clear.
Didn’t think old SDC’s were built to that standard, but the side walls have been tested for strength apparently… wonder if it was done with the side bars for Tesco cages in place?
robroy:
eagerbeaver:
I would be very happy to do an alcohol test before every shift, and there is no reason why it should not be implemented by law.If you are driving wagons during the week, don’t drink. If you cant go a few days without alcohol, then you have a problem in my book.
Me and you are going to disagree here EagerB mate.
If somebody other than the law came at me with a breathlyzer, I would be highly offended.
Why should I be put in the same category as a ■■■■ head who can not make sure he is fit to drive next day?
I would tell them if they thought I was over limit to go and get the law, otherwise poke it.
As I have said many times, drivers are too willing to roll over and put up with anything, I will not have my professional integrity questioned by some pompous little self important 2at in an office…end of.
I like a pint sometimes when parked up, and I will argue all day that there is nothing wrong with that.
In real terms I could (and do, quite often) go without one for a while, not a problem.All this knee jerk reaction zero tolerance ■■■■■■■■ is not necessary, it is just like everything else in this country where this is proposed…An easier option to actually Policing and upholding the law.
I’m with Pop’s as well Beaver! Yes it would be IDEAL if we didn’t have a beer midweek, but we work to live and not live to work…
Yes for some it may be easy not to have a drink, but the vast majority like to enjoy something refreshing as a reward for the day. People who enjoy drinking in moderation by having a beer or 2 at the end of the day, shouldn’t suffer because of a few bellends who can’t drink in moderation and have no respect for the law. OK I might agree that having a beer every single night is showing signs of dependency, but unless that results in them being over the limit when it’s time to work, it’s a private matter/liberty and no one else’s business…
I am not saying don’t drink fella’s, what I am saying is if you are confident enough to blow under 35, what’s the problem??
Unless you want to have 3 or 4 cans, then you may be playing licence bingo.
No normal man would fail a breath test,the morning after 3 or 4 pints.
eagerbeaver:
I am not saying don’t drink fella’s, what I am saying is if you are confident enough to blow under 35, what’s the problem??Unless you want to have 3 or 4 cans, then you may be playing licence bingo.
I have no probs EB with my confidence to blow under the limit to drive.
As I said, the problem is the implication that I am irresponsible enough to risk my licence.
However the biggest problem is being asked to provide a breath specimen by some body with an opinion of himself so high, that he thinks it is appropriate for him appoint himself as a judge on my professionalism.
I will confess that as a young lad I was not quite as responsible as I am now, to the point of coming out of a nightclub at 3 o clock, and getting in the truck.
Charnock Richard Services/Park Hall nitespot 1980.
There I’ve said it, downright disgraceful, but young and stupid were .mitigating circumstances.
Dolph:
Tossitoff:
Apparently one of their flip flop drivers from Eastern Europe, the ones I’ve encountered seem a bit brain dead when sober,like the ■■■ who decided to park up for his break across the entrance to Corley N/B truck park around 2:30 this morning!Why they insist on using so many flip flops I (as an ESL driver) don’t know, they are doing a great job of trashing both the fleet and name (if it could get worse!) of ESL, in my experience the vast vast majority of ESL drivers are just like the rest of us, professionals doing a job to pay the bills and put food on the table.
I was in P&G Thurrock last night and sat for literally 10minutes whilst one of “our” flip flops tried and tried and tried to back into a bay that had empty spaces on both sides, I dread to think how he’d have got on had it been a tighter spot.
Like Brits are the best drivers and can park perfectly, give me a brake. Many of you cant even pass a stupid exam in manual truck…
Don’t judge for all drivers by few bad apples.
Justified comment. I see some terrible driving by some Brit drivers on the roads in Spain, leaving a junction and driving on the wrong side of the road before realising their mistake is a classic one…
robroy:
eagerbeaver:
I am not saying don’t drink fella’s, what I am saying is if you are confident enough to blow under 35, what’s the problem??Unless you want to have 3 or 4 cans, then you may be playing licence bingo.
I have no probs EB with my confidence to blow under the limit to drive.
As I said, the problem is the implication that I am irresponsible enough to risk my licence.
However the biggest problem is being asked to provide a breath specimen by some body with an opinion of himself so high, that he thinks it is appropriate for him appoint himself as a judge on my professionalism.I will confess that as a young lad I was not quite as responsible as I am now, to the point of coming out of a nightclub at 3 o clock, and getting in the truck.
Charnock Richard Services/Park Hall nitespot 1980.
There I’ve said it, downright disgraceful, but young and stupid were .mitigating circumstances.
I do have the odd mid week pint or can or two now…but in the distant past I sometimes woke up wondering which town I was parked in!
Are these breath test jobbies affordable? Might be an idea for anyone who drinks between shifts to give one a try and see what they blow.
All very well assuming after a few drinks you are ok to drive, but it would be much better to actually know.
commonrail2:
No normal man would fail a breath test,the morning after 3 or 4 pints.
No, will not fail the test, unless is 10 stone.
eagerbeaver:
Are these breath test jobbies affordable? Might be an idea for anyone who drinks between shifts to give one a try and see what they blow.All very well assuming after a few drinks you are ok to drive, but it would be much better to actually know.
You’re still implying that I am in doubt whether I am safe to drive…I aint
If I was in an element of doubt situation, I would either take extra time off, or not drive…, or both.
So no need for a self test kit in my case.
My post wasn’t aimed specifically at you Rob. It was more of a curiosity than anything else. The point being, I have no idea how many cans I could drink and then drive 9 hours or so later, to know what would put me over the limit.
But Dolph and Commonrail2 seem to be experts in the field, so I bow to their knowledge.
Me personally, I wait until I am on my weekly rest if I want to have a drink.
commonrail2:
No normal man would fail a breath test,the morning after 3 or 4 pints.
But how many truckers are normal ■■ 
I pushed the boat out last week. I had 11 hours off. Parked in middle of nowhere on a sunny evening. I had 3 whole cans of lager. 5.0% bad boy stuff too. By the time I went to bed I didn’t feel tipsy never mind drunk. When I got up, it never even entered my head I might be over the limit. Sorry but I’m out on your idea of wasting cash on a self tester.
Christ I can remember when the local Bobby used to come in the village pub. Sit at the bar in uniform and have a pint and a blether before driving…Probably to next village pub!
My point was nothing to do with being tipsy or drunk. It was about the alcohol in your bloodstream.
If you are over 35 you are drink driving. If it’s under, you are not. Makes no difference to me, as mine will be 0.
As I said previously- it is more of a curiosity for me, as I would have no idea without blowing into a breath test jobbie. But for anyone else who might be unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident (even a minor one, not your fault), and gets tested by plod as a routine and then blows over, you may end up losing your livelihood.
It seems a pointless risk to me.