Peterborough, UK: The RHA has slated government plans for fines for carrying stowaways to increase from £2,000 to £10,000.
The RHA condemns traffickers and calls to ensure innocent drivers are not unfairly punished.
Last year there were 3,838 illegal entries into the UK by stowaways which the government is targeting under its plans.
Rod McKenzie, executive director for policy and public affairs, said “People smuggling is a crime and we condemn drivers involved in deliberate trafficking – however, we need to ensure that operators and drivers who have made every effort to secure their vehicles and trailers are not unfairly punished.
“There have been cases in the past when this has happened, and we would want clear evidence the driver was a party to smuggling people rather than an innocent victim.”
Penalties can be waived if firms are a member of the Civil Penalty Accreditation Scheme and can demonstrate they have made every effort to follow regulations on securing vehicles.
