Multi drop Drivers, The proverbial White Van Man and Santa Claus have a lot in common, they can have a near impossible job. Almost every HGV Driver knows full well the difficult task the Multi drop Driver has, this includes The White van Man, I use the word "Man" in a none sexist term.
They drive not only in the city but the countryside shown in the photos below, but have little time to appreciate it as we can here. The photos are taken in England, Scotland and Wales. The Dawn photo shows an HGV drivers lights as he sets off for southern places from the far north of Scotland.
They all have so much to do in a small space of time that if any reader who has no personal experience of the task, (apart from Santa Claus who covers a delivery job on every residence in the planet earth in one night of the year) had to do the job for a day, they would be stunned by the amount of work they do, in fact its hardly likely they would do the job in two or even three days. If you don’t believe me then the webmaster of this site could "Fix It For You" to try.
The multi Drop Driver shown in the photo has the slogan, "More Drops than Santa" written in the dirt on the back of his truck, its there for a reason, it’s a hell of a job, the white van man in 3.5 ton and under vans has a smaller vehicle but the task can still be hair raising, so give a thought to these vehicles when you see them about our roads.
These vehicles have to comply with strict driving rules monitored by a sealed instrument in the cab, which records their every move and stop. Government Traffic commissioners have many methods of keeping an eye on them, you might call them the Traffic detectives of our highways, looking for the unscrupulous company who has their drivers working illegal hours. They have ways and means " OFF VATCHING YOU" and they are much smarter than you might think.
The white van man (woman) also has rules to follow, if he or she has an accident and has worked excessive hours, or had no breaks as required by law, yes the white van man is also required to have a break, even though he or she has no tachograph in the cab to monitor their work and breaks,,, but,,, the problem generally comes if they have an accident, then down comes the microscope on all their travels, and you wont hide anything away from their watchful eyes, remember every camera they pass in a day will be looked at,,, there is no escape,, I will say no more on that, but their would be wise to follow the domestic rules laws for over 3.5 tonnes vehicles, at least.
Update as from 8th April 2005.. The white van man or any commercial driver is required to follow domestic rules as per VOSA,, with regards to the use of a log book to record your driving hours, you should remember that to prove you are driving within the domestic rules, you will need to show a record of your work, if you cannot, and or cannot prove you were working/driving within the domestic rules you are leaving yourself wide open to a traffic commissioner assuming you were not, and you would be required to prove otherwise in a court of law,,, not the place to be on the wrong side of the dock,,, so,,,,,,, use a log book, be warned, if you don’t trouble could well be ahead. If you need a log book urgently,, phone 08451 298 592 and get a couple sent mail order fast, tacho discs are also available and other goods should you wish to know that, credit and debit cards are fine.
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May I add at this point that is wise to have a tacho fitted even under 3.5 tons,, this will prove your working time,,, also please note the rules will change over time,, so what I am saying is a guide which you should check. MY word means nothing,, so phone a traffic commissioner and ask for advise,, or download the rules using the drivers hours links guide on the front page of this website. I can help you regards speaking to a commissioner if you wish to mail me.
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Managers of companies and directors in their leather office chairs with potted plants in the window, a zero 5 registered keep up with the Jones car in the companies car park, would be wise to be aware that if an accident does take place, or something goes Pear Shaped, as we say in the UK (none symmetrical) they are not insulated from prosecution and subsequent free full board and lodging in her Majesty's prison, ignorance of what was going on in their business will not be an excuse, court case precedents and government make this quite plain,,, so show this to your boss, help yourself and him or her, in prison you cant pay the mortgage, look after your wife and family, pay bills for items in the home, your life can collapse, and if you are away to long who knows what can happen to, your once thought solid family unit,,,,, if you get my drift,,,, So the rule is be wise, this also goes for tradesman and technicians driving and working, especially those contractors who travel to a job, arrive hours later,, complete the job on bonus perhaps,, then drive back some hundreds of miles,,, be warned,,, the above applies to you,, the pear shaped bit happens when you have that accident,, then hell can arrive,,,, NOT SANTA!
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