Scottish Traffic Commissioner Joan Aitken will be speaking at the 2007 Scottish Rewards ceremony held this month in Glasgow and will take the opportunity, after three years in office, to lay out her stall of priorities in working towards her aspirations of a 'Safe, Successful Scotland'

Speaking to Transport News in her Scottish Traffic Area offices situated in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, the TC hammered home the bullet points of her speech planned for the Crowne Plaza Hotel on 20 October. "Drink driving, drivers hours, use of mobile phones and vehicle maintenance are top of my list," she revealed, and in no particular order went on to expand on her concerns.

"The annual test pass rate of vehicles belonging to any operator paints a vivid picture and they don't seem to realise how important a service this is. When a truck goes to annual test, they know it's going to be examined and if it fails, then what is the 364 day quality of the vehicle?' Annual test evidence is a good indicator of the general condition of an operator's fleet; trucks and trailers. I look at the importance of the item failing and I want to know the reason why it failed.

"A good operator is paying out real money for professional maintenance to ensure his vehicle passes the annual test. He should be protected against those operators who don't. I am intrigued however about the state of the roads from operating centres to the test centre. They must be horrendous, because of the defects that ensue! There should be national campaigns to close or seriously repair these stretches of nightmare roads, if operators are to be believed."

The Scottish Traffic Commissioner is also concerned about driver conduct in relation to drinking and driving, particularly repeat offences; "We have to establish an awareness that modern alcohol is more potent and this topic will feature in the next three Scottish Seminars I have planned for the Autumn".

On the question of drivers' hours, the STC is cracking down on not taking breaks and driving in extended, illegal time; "This is not to agitate operators, but to get the drivers home safely. Driving is one of the most hazardous jobs going and both operators and drivers have a Health & Safety duty and responsibility to ensure proper rest times are taken."

Hands-on mobile phone use while driving is now also in the Traffic Commissioner's spotlight. She regards a professional driver charged by the police for this offence as someone whose fitness to hold an LGV licence is now questionable.

"I am about to receive a batch of recent Cumbria police reports. The drivers concerned may find their licence lost for some weeks and the operator could be in trouble if the drivers are forced to use mobile phones illegally."

Joan Aitken is however confident that her 'campaigns' are bearing fruit.

"Attitudes to annual tests are changing both by operators and truck manufacturers. They are now taking inspections seriously. Also I am seeing good practice at work as I visit hauliers, most of whom are good hard working companies who operate properly and for profit.

"My message from the Scottish Rewards podium will be that I am not here to be an oppressor. I want to keep companies thinking 'safe' and I want drivers home safely every evening for their tea!"

Nominations closed on Tuesday 12 September for all 15 categories in the Transport News 2006 Scottish Rewards.

This year's glittering presentation breakfast will be held in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow on Friday 20 October and all 61 tables have been booked since early June.

610 guests will have the opportunity to win a magical VIP visit to the Ferrari car production plant and museum in Maranello. The prize is for two persons, staying two nights in a Bologna hotel, with meals, travel and transfers also included and is presented by Scottish Rewards support company Iveco. Proceeds from the £5 per ticket raffle go to industry charity Transaid.

Also, one of the 61 table numbers will be drawn to receive a special prize, supplied by Alliance & Leicester Commercial Vehicle Finance, where all ten Rewards guests at the lucky table will be winners of a prize valued at £100!.

Complimentary coffee will be available from 8.45am on arrival, compliments of Harsh, plus the opportunity to chat to industry associates within an enlarged foyer display mounted by category sponsors. Thereafter, it's into the banqueting hall for a hot Scottish breakfast with 'surprise' background music.

Champagne, or Buck's Fizz, also courtesy of tipping gear specialists Harsh will be served prior to the presentation of the 15 Rewards; Scotland's prestigious road transport industry icons of achievement.