What a difference a year makes. Just 12 months ago, drivers using the forums were reporting that they could leave a job and find new employment by the morning. Now drivers are saying there's little or no work out there, and the sector is peppered with lay-offs and redundancies.
Agency drivers are reporting that they are getting fewer offers of shifts, and those that are being offered are at declining rates of pay. In the Owner-Drivers forum, those involved in construction are saying that work has virtually dried up. It is clear that a lot of people are nervous about their jobs and futures, and many are expecting the situation to worsen.
The vast majority of discussions on TruckNet UK are conducted in a civilised and respectful manner, and the forums' rules strictly forbid personal attacks on individuals. However, one recent discussion concerning HATOs (Highways Authority Traffic Officers) has strayed over the line.
What could have been - and, for the most part, was - a decent discussion about the role of HATOs and whether it would be preferable to have better-funded police patrols has been derailed by a minority who have a problem with the whole idea of HATOs.
A small number of traffic officers have defended their role but it seems that some members are not willing to have a discussion and listen to an opposing point of view. It is a shame that this particular thread will probably be locked shortly as within it there are a number of very good points raised. One thing that has come out of the discussion is that many professional drivers feel that HATOs do a worthwhile job and contribute to making our roads safer.
Finally, for those wanting a little nostalgia, the Old-Time Lorries forum includes some posts with Commercial Motor articles from years gone by. Especially fascinating are multiple articles detailing a trip to the Middle East and all the problems associated with it... these sorts of archived pieces, along with drivers' own memories, make the forum a compelling read.
