CHRIS GLEED makes an interesting point in his letter of December 23.
As a member of the Association of Industrial Road Safety Officers, he warns motorists that should un-cleared snow fall from their cars as they drive, the driver could be liable ‘to compensate others who may be injured or whose property may be damaged from debris falling from a vehicle’.
Under regulations, the snow is apparently classed as part of a load, and the driver is responsible for that load. As he states ‘If snow falls from the roof of your vehicle onto another vehicle’s windscreen and contributes towards a crash, then you will be liable!’ How does that stack up against a load that is being deliberately distributed at other road users, with every likelihood that it WILL cause damage? Like a gritting lorry perhaps?
I have no doubt Chris Gleed is correct in his explanation and I have no intention of undermining the excellent work our gritting team have been doing, but it seems accidental damage is punishable, while the consequence of premeditated action isn’t.
DAVID WALLIS
Cotswold Close
Calne
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