BLB listens to the complaints of British truck drivers

The number one issue was without a doubt Eastern European drivers – generally those employed by British firms. In a close second place were those foreign drivers who are based abroad, but come over to the UK to cause mayhem on our motorways. The general feeling among UK drivers is that Eastern European truck drivers are rude and can’t drive. “Just because they can drive a tractor and trailer on their family farm doesn’t mean they can drive a truck over here,” was a comment that summed up the opinions of many.
Fuel prices came up time and time again. While the majority of the guys I spoke to didn’t have to pay for fuel themselves, the fact that bosses were being forced to fork-out £1 a litre to bunker the stuff really pissed them off. “This government has a long –term aim of putting every small haulier out of business,” said one driver, “and for once it’s actually achieving one of its goals.”
The state of motorway services came up time and time again, with drivers complaining about the price and quality of food, the lack of parking facilities, the cost of staying overnight, poor security and the state of the showers. One driver showed me a photograph he had taken of a shower at an MSA last week. “I just walked straight out,” he said, “because I was scared I might catch something”.
Car drivers certainly aren’t in their good books. Almost every driver I spoke to reckoned that the level of ignorance among car drivers is frightening, and believe something needs to be done. The general consensus is that the car driving test needs to include a lorry awareness section, whereby new drivers are taught about how much space a truck needs to turn. “They also need to be told that we have to do 40mph on a single carriageway, and that we don’t drive at that speed just to piss them off,” said one driver.
But not all truck drivers are perfect either. Many of the older drivers I canvassed reckon attitudes have changed dramatically in recent years, and that being a truck driver is no longer like being part of a “big family”. Whereas once upon a time if a driver was having problems roping and sheeting, several others would lend a hand. Today they just sit in their cabs and watch. “It’s the same story when you’ve broken down or had a blow-out,” said one man. “20 years ago people would stop to lend a hand, whereas to day they almost rip your mirror off as the speed past you.”
But despite these grievances, almost everyone agreed that they wouldn’t do anything else. “Truck driving is more than a job, it’s a way of life,” was a commonly-used phrase.

And on a slightly different note – I bet you don’t see this truck driver fighting for a space to park her £250,000 Scania. In fact, I’ll be surprised if you see her forking-out £10 for a shite meal or queuing up to use an unclean shower.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/7378118.stm