Crash fears over longer lorry shifts

LETTING lorry drivers work longer hours to safeguard food supplies could make Britain’s roads more dangerous, ministers were warned last night.

Staff shortages have already hit the availability of everything from milkshakes at McDonald’s to chicken at Nando’s. The Government is now thought to be considering an extension to changes made in July which mean drivers can be on the road for ten hours, up from nine.

Due to end next month, the new rules could instead stay in place until February.

But Rod McKenzie of the Road Haulage Association said longer hours meant ‘more tired drivers... which isn’t good for the safety of anyone’. He added that most bosses ignored the change to keep staff safe. ‘It’s a short-term fix which doesn’t fix anything much,’ he said.

A government spokesman said ministers were ‘taking steps to support [firms]... including streamlining the process for new drivers and increasing the number of driving tests’.