Dog story is reflection of barking mad ‘nanny state’
SIR – Having just received Fleet News (April 20), I cannot believe what I am reading on page 7. A very appealing picture of an Airedale Terrier is accompanied by the headline: ‘Three quarters of drivers get no guidance from employers about transporting pets’.
I find it very hard to accept the continuance of responsibilities being heaped on to employers. I like dogs, but don’t own one because my work and family life would not allow me to have one and devote the time that I think is neccessary for that dog to have a good life.
If I did own a dog, I would look after it well. Common sense would dictate how I would transport it in a vehicle. I cannot imagine that I would visit the chairman of my company and ask him for guidance on how to transport a pet.
If an employee of mine blew his nose so hard that it started bleeding and, from that, he bled to death, would I be responsible? After all, I must admit I have never passed on to my 60 employees the benefit of my knowledge on how they should blow their noses.
However, if everybody kept their noses clean maybe we would not have to live in such an unbelievable ‘nanny state’.
I like to think that while my employees are carrying out their work duties we look after them. What they do in their private life, whether they have a company car or not, is a concern, but surely not a responsibility where I could be brought to justice.
Whatever happened to people taking care and looking after themselves rather than looking elsewhere for someone to blame for their own inadequacies?
We have one of the greatest teachers in nearly every household. It is called television.
For years I have wondered why we do not use it to teach people how to drive on roads and save lives.
I am sure it could also be used in other walks of life.
If drivers of my company cars can’t work out for themselves how to carry dogs safely, they don’t deserve the pleasure of owning one. And that means the dog and the car. RAY SAPERIA Harrison Thompson & Co
Peugeot coverage was not adequate
SIR – I was very disappointed to see the small amount of space you have given in the newspaper to the closure of the Peugeot factory (Fleet News, April 20).
Does the loss of more than 2,000 jobs in the British car industry only merit a short article on page 2? All the newspapers have covered it in detail and even News at Ten reported live from the factory. I would have expected better.
CRAIG WATSON, Budleigh Ed – Fleet News is primarily written for fleet managers and while the closure is a sad story, it will have little effect on most company car buyers.
We endeavour to cover all automotive stories in Fleet News but, as always, we must judge each story on its merits.
Most readers received Fleet News on Thursday when all coverage of the story had slipped from the front pages.
We will report fleet-related repercussions of the Ryton closure.
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