Risk news

Foreign truck drivers have been blamed for causing road accidents which the UK public and businesses have to pick up the bill for.

According to the Freight Transport Association (FTA), truckers from overseas are effectively driving on the UK's roads "for free", because they fill their fuel tanks with diesel purchased outside of the UK.

This means that they are contributing nothing to the economy and are also putting UK hauliers at a commercial disadvantage.

Furthermore, the FTA warned that these truckers present a threat to other road users because of their poor safety records.

Spokesperson Jo Tanner said: "Tired drivers operating vehicles in poor mechanical condition are accidents waiting to happen."

Her comments come in response to a report from the Public Accounts Committee, which called on the Department for Transport and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency to do more to tackle the risks posed by overseas truckers.

Chairman Edward Leigh MP said it is "unacceptable" that some British ports do not allow inspectors to examine high-risk vehicles.

Do you have responsibility for the management of your company's fleet? If you do, you may find our Roadsense website a useful resource.