A very efficient lady at the RHA replied to the request I posted here yesterday:
“Dear Peter,
Unfortunately what you have said is more often than not the case. The driver nearly always is held responsible.
The RHA do produce a check list one for illegals and one for smugging.
We have found that if the company makes sure that the driver complete these forms, this then gives them some defence if stopped.
If you send me an address I can put this information in the post for you to look at.
We also have a contact at Fair Trials Abroad - a conpany set up to assist drivers when they have been detained.”
Here’s my reply:
"Hello …
Thank you again for the prompt reply.
The situation is then that when a British driver is stitched up by a smuggling gang, the driver is automatically guilty as he cannot prove his innocence, the British government does nothing as they “don’t interfere in other countries judicial systems”, the RHA does nothing except produce a no doubt jolly helpful checklist, the French authorities do nothing as they don’t want to spoil their arrest statistics, and the driver does nothing except rot in jail.
Pretty poor show, eh what?
Could you please send me some examples of how the RHA guidelines you offer to send to me have helped drivers who have been stopped.
What possible defence does a driver have if under French law he is guilty until proved innocent?
How does having a completed RHA-approved checklist form improve a driver’s chances, and why should this checklist form have a different effect to a correctly completed and signed CMR note?
What action should a British driver take if stopped and arrested for illegally importing and transporting substances?
Can the RHA, perhaps through the British Embassy, supply names and phone numbers of French lawyers who speak English?
Thank you in advance
Peter
I can’t fault the RHA for efficient correspondence, but their attitude seems to be “that’s the way things are, we can’t help much”