Lorry driver unions have joined with vehicle operators in calling for increased information and enforcement in respect of foreign lorries working in the UK.

Drivers are concerned at the increasing evidence showing that vehicles visiting the UK are in a less roadworthy condition than the past; that the numbers of operating offences by foreign lorries is increasing, notably drivers' hours breaches and overloading; and that foreign lorries are now involved in a disproportionately high number of accidents.

At a joint liaison meeting held at the Tunbridge Wells headquarters of Freight Transport Association (FTA), representatives of the United Road Transport Union, the Transport & General Workers' Union, the Freight Transport Association and the Road Haulage Association were agreed in their serious concerns for UK road safety.

In a joint submission to the Road Haulage Task Group, FTA and RHA have called for foreign lorries working in the UK to be required to register details of ownership and vehicle records in order to assist the work of UK enforcement authorities.

FTA chief executive Richard Turner said: “The numbers of foreign lorries working in the UK is constantly rising - now something like one in seven of the heaviest vehicles on our roads is from overseas. It is absolutely vital that the operating conditions of those vehicles, and the behaviour of their drivers, matches the same high standards which we expect of our home fleet.”

Ron Webb of the T&G added: “Whether drivers are from the UK or visiting from Europe we must ensure that all UK road users are protected by the operation of safe vehicles driven by safe drivers. We fully expect UK enforcement authorities, notably VOSA and the police, to apply the same high standards to foreign vehicles as they quite correctly apply to UK vehicles and drivers.”

Bob Monks of the URTU said: “The UK transport industry has a proud record of safe operation achieved by the joint efforts of drivers, operators and the enforcement authorities. Foreign vehicles and their drivers entering the UK are faced with different and less familiar traffic and driving conditions. But we need UK enforcement authorities to ensure that our foreign visitors are obliged to meet the same safety levels as we expect in the UK.”

At present VOSA and the police have instant access to information regarding UK based vehicles but little or no information regarding foreign vehicles.