OPEN LETTER URGES EVERYONE TO PLAY THEIR PART

THE open letter from the Oscroft family urges everyone to play their part in preventing road deaths. It says:

“Nobody goes to work to intentionally harm or kill someone, but the reality is that unless you make sure the loads you carry are safe, you are putting yourself and other people at risk during your journey and when you come to unload.

“Any item capable of being thrown from or bouncing out of a vehicle needs to be secured whatever vehicle it is being carried on, whether it’s a plastic bucket or wheelbarrow, steel beams, or heavy plant equipment.

“Even small items can kill or seriously injure someone if they come off a vehicle at speed. Delays and disruption on the road network because of load debris cost the UK economy millions of pounds every year.

“Load shift incidents on the road and in the workplace are both foreseeable and completely preventable. Police forces, the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), National Highways and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) are working together to protect people, but we can’t do it alone. Drivers, vehicle operators, and those loading vehicles or trailers for others (consignors) must also play their part in preventing deaths and injuries.”