LETTERS: Unlicensed trucks, unlicensed drivers

Sir: As chairman of the Road Haulage Association and director of Wincanton, the third-largest transport company in the UK, I wish to express support for the campaign to remove unlicensed trucks and unlicensed operators from our roads ("Campaign for tighter lorry curbs launched", 3 February). The reduction in the Vehicle Inspectorate questions the Government's claim to care about road safety. If the Department of Transport were serious, it would agree to the proposals made for years by my association, which are: 1. Give the licensing authorities and police the power to confiscate trucks that are run by someone without an operator's licence, or without having paid vehicle excise duty.

2. Make it easy for the police, traffic wardens and the public to spot an unlicensed truck by printing the licence in colour (as for cars), but with a square shape (unlike cars).

Without meaningful enforcement and meaningful penalties, too many irresponsible drivers and companies will continue to endanger the public and bring disgrace to our industry.

Yours faithfully, P. H. Lee Development Director Wincanton Ltd Hatch Beauchamp, Somerset