Government will relieve HGV driver shortage by removing ‘reversing’ element. Idiotic
Tempting fate: this is what happened when an HGV driver tried reversing in a Welsh country road. Expect many more such incidents after the Tory changes to HGV driver tests take effect.
The UK’s stupid Tory government has promised to increase the number of HGV driving tests available in order to relieve the current driver shortage – by eliminating a vital element in which drivers must show they can reverse the vehicle.
This Writer knows how valuable the ability to reverse properly is, because I have reported on what happens when it goes wrong.
Very early in my career I reported on an inquest into the death of a man after an HGV reversed into him. I won’t go into the details because they are distressing.
So I am looking forward to the Conservative government guidance that shows how HGV drivers will be able to avoid reversing in the future.
Also eliminated are the “uncoupling and recoupling” element for vehicles with trailers.
The government says these parts of the test take a long time so it’s better not to bother. They’ll do it later… maybe.
Why not do it straight away, at the test that shows drivers are qualified to do it? I don’t believe what these ministers and civil servants are saying.
In addition, car drivers who want to tow a trailer or caravan won’t need to take a test, freeing up a further 30,000 more HGV tests.
The new legislation to make these changes legal is being pushed through by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and the Department for Transport (DfT).
The DfT says the move won’t affect the standard of driving required in order to drive an HGV, while car owners are being encouraged to undertake extra training in order to tow trailers and caravans.
Huh?
If car drivers will need extra training to tow trailers and caravans, then they won’t be qualified to do it… and that implies that the parts removed from HGV tests are also vital. Doesn’t it?
That’s what I’m seeing on the social media:
Hey, about the government taking the reversing element out of the HGV driving test…..look what I just found on the Health and Safety part of the government’s own website: pic.twitter.com/nUKFJ3Y39c
— Buck Frexit! 🇪🇺🇺🇦🌎🐟FBPE #GTTO #PR (@Beany_1) September 11, 2021
https://twitter.com/_David_J_White_/status/1436747516322754562
I suggest a new general election slogan for, well, any party, really:
Keep death off the roads! DON’T VOTE CONSERVATIVE!
Source: Government promises 50,000 HGV tests a year and relaxes car towing rules – Car Dealer Magazine
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Fascist tories intent on murdering more women and men by altering the HGV tests! Well done stupid arrogant fascist tories who know everything and nothing!
I look forward to the fascist dictator little duck johnson uttering this: ‘not our fascist tory problem guv that a huge increase in road deaths have occurred as a result of us removing the HGV tests!’
So HGV drivers will not be tested on reversing a huge heavy lorry!!! Such crass arrogant stupidity from the fascist tories!
Hey stupid arrogant fascist tories here’s the answer to shortage of HVG qualified drivers – issue visas to EU HGV drivers so they can resume entering the little backwater and arrogant xenophobic little england!
After reading the Government consultation on this (now closed) as far as I can see, the idea is to use a complete lack of imagination and outsource the reversing and coupling elements to private companies (undoubtebly tory cronies/donors).
NB. Pearson already control driving tests.
So extra costs for the trainee/companies and wide varying standards if past experiences are repeated.