'Firms should properly train foreign drivers'

Lorry drivers from overseas have been shown to be responsible for a growing number of traffic collisions on the UK's roads - potentially endangering the car and van insurance premiums of other drivers.

Findings by the Association of British Insurers highlight that the number of collisions caused by foreign drivers has risen by 47 per cent over the past five years.

The insurance industry body attributes this rise to the 45 main differences identified between road laws in Britain and those of other European countries.

Head of training at business driver risk management specialist Drive & Survive Mark Edwards said: "Although driver awareness and general aptitude are clearly fundamental requirements, truck drivers clearly need to understand the UK rules of the road and this appears to be the fundamental problem."

It is vital that firms properly train their foreign drivers to deal with the UK's roads to keep them safe, Mr Edwards stated, adding that the issue should not be left to the driver to deal with alone.

According to the Times, foreign lorries are three times more likely to be involved in a collision per mile than British lorries, potentially placing the van insurance premiums of other road users in danger.

In related news, the Times also reports that foreign drivers are being traced and made to pay congestion charge, bus lane and parking fines as part of the government's plan to tackle the 700,000 penalties issued every year to vehicles registered outside the UK.

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