for goods vehicle operators' staffs responsible for inspecting vehicles. The Code places considerable emphasis on regular inspections of vehicles, including a daily "walkround check", the keeping of records of inspections (Croners' Road Transport Operation: Records and Procedures gives valuable information on the types of records to be kept), and the importance of driver defect reports (including the making of NIL Defects reports where appropriate). The practice of keeping defect reports and records of inspection for 15 months is confirmed in the Code. A clear indication is given that safety inspections should follow a pattern based on time, and that the interval of time between inspections should be determined by operating conditions. Operators are advised to own or have access to means of measuring braking efficiency. The VOSA is currently offering, on an experimental basis, this facility to operators at some goods vehicle testing stations. 32 ***Confidential treatment requested pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Omitted portions have been filed separately with the Commission. Maintenance Staff Vehicle maintenance must be carried out by qualified maintenance staff so that the driver is well supported in his operational duties thus enabling him to give maximum productivity during his working hours. Fleet maintenance should be planned, with regular vehicle testing and inspection, to minimise breakdowns on the road and to assist maximum vehicle utilisation. The Driver's Responsibilities The driver is the operator's representative and as such is responsible — with his employer — for any infringement of the law and he should therefore have a working knowledge of the appropriate regulations. Whatever the standards laid down by vehicle operators for maintenance and servicing, ultimately it is the driver who is responsible for reporting on performances He, more than anyone else, handles the vehicle under load, which