Driver survey shows real concerns

Future earning ability, increasing road congestion and the growing number of foreign national drivers working here illegally are the main issues worrying lorry drivers today, according to a survey carried out by Protemp4Logistics, the specialist driver recruitment business.

Over 300 drivers took part in the survey and 86% voiced concerns about EU drivers working in the UK without the right checks and the implications that this has for public safety.

Two thirds were worried about their future ability to earn a good wage because of new legislation such as EU driversí hours and the Working Time Directive, a concern backed up by the fact that three quarters of respondents were earning the same or less than in 2004.

However over half of those questioned think that the working time directive has improved conditions for drivers and 78% cited increasing road congestion as a major issue. Other concerns were about the lack of younger drivers joining the industry because of the long and unsociable hours.

Commenting on the research findings, Andrew Blakesley, Managing Director at Protemp4Logistics, said: ì We are working hard to address these areas of concern that our drivers have voiced wherever we can. For example we are exploring offering formal contracts of employment with sufficient hours to offer drivers a living wage whilst staying legally compliant.

ìWe share our driversí concerns about the lack of checks made on EU drivers by many agencies either through ignorance or even a decision that the risks are worth it. Our drivers know that at Protemp4Logistics we believe we have a responsibility to our clients and the general public to ensure that the drivers we provide are safe and legal and as such our checks are thorough and rigorous.î