Rogue lorry drivers to be forced off the road

A PLAN to force rogue lorry drivers off the roads is set to be implemented by Department of Transport officials.

The proposal, which has been drawn up by Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) officials and the Department of Transport, will enforce licensing and safety issues amid concerns that up to 10% of HGVs (heavy goods vehicles) on Ireland’s roads are operating illegally.

Details of the 22-point plan will be revealed to 200 delegates at the IRHA annual meeting today.

The association’s vice president, Vincent Caulfield, said all carriers will have to have the appropriate Haulage Operators Licence and satisfy stricter criteria that has been set down by the Department of Transport.

The department’s new licence disc scheme will begin in September, a move welcomed by the IRHA which wants stricter monitoring.

Mr Caulfield said rogue operators were cutting corners with safety and a number were purchasing cheaper “laundered” diesel.

He said legitimate carriers, who wouldn’t dream of breaking the law in such a way, were finding it difficult to compete against rogue elements who were able to reduce their costs. The rising cost of diesel is also concerning haulage companies.

“The price of diesel has practically doubled in the past two years. When one considers that a lorry uses about a litre of diesel per kilometre you can see how expensive it is,” Mr Caulfield said.

Economists are forecasting a further price rise in the coming months. In most garages diesel is now more expensive than unleaded petrol.

IRHA deputy vice president Pat O’Donovan said among concerns to be raised at the two-day conference, which gets underway in Cork today, are unnecessary traffic delays on Irish roads.

Mr O’Donovan said his organisation was especially concerned about delays to motorway projects and the imposition of toll charges.

As the haulage industry employs in excess of 100,000 people, the IRHA says it needs stability as well as better regulation.

The conference will be addressed tomorrow night by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Ivor Callely.

The association’s 32nd annual conference, which takes place at the Rochestown Park Hotel, will feature a monster trade show of trucks and trailers. Admission is free.