Lorry drivers should be paid a lot more because of the dangers and risk to their life that they face in their work.
An article in today's (28Nov02)Times reports
"According to Oxford University research based on death statistics from 1976 to 1995 ..."
and the table accompanying (see and enlarge link
www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-495384,00.html )
shows that lorry drivers are 100% more likely than firemen to be killed in the line of duty per time worked, but firemen are paid 30% more.
For full details of article and basis of comparision, see
www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-495280,00.html
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Are lorry drivers going to be the next ones to strike then?
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And in a similar vein but unfortunately well off topic.
I note that a) there is a shortage of plumbers a problem which this excuse for a Government intends to address, and b) average plumber earns £60k
Presumably therefore there will be top up tuition fees on plumbing courses, and extra plumber graduate tax, and extra VED on their vans. (vague motoring link)
Joined up Government? Hah!
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How many lorry drivers die as a result of their own error? You don't deserve more money for that risk.
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How many lorry drivers die as a result of their own error? You don't deserve more money for that risk.
How many are killed when they fall asleep?
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"Are lorry drivers going to be the next ones to strike then?"
Empty supermarket shelves vs. lorry-free roads. Hmmm!!!!
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That's OK, so long as the power supply keeps up I recon we could live out of the freezer for a year.
(Note to self: must chastise SHMBO again)
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Motoring, people. Not politics or strikes, Motoring.
Thank you.
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> shows that lorry drivers are 100% more likely than firemen to
> be killed in the line of duty per time worked, but firemen
> are paid 30% more.
Surely 100% more likely means certain death?! This would mean no more lorry drivers on the roads.
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Surely 100% more likely means certain death?! This would mean no more lorry drivers on the roads.
I thought that too. I assumed it was a more dramatic way of saying "twice as likely".
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GJD
You are correct, it actually means double the previous number.
IIRC about 27 firemen have died on duty in the last 10 years, I'm sure the number of lorry drivers lost must be many times that, but to get a true comparison you would have to look at the percentage of the total number of firemen/drivers.
Always be suspicious of figures expressed as percentages, though.
An increase of 8% sounds much more dramatic than an increase of 1 (from 12 to 13) as an example.
Or you can quote a 50% increase (from 2 to 3).
"Lies, damned lies, and statistics"
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> shows that lorry drivers are 100% more likely than firemen to > be killed in the line of duty per time worked, but firemen > are paid 30% more. Surely 100% more likely means certain death?! This would mean no more lorry drivers on the roads.
100% likely means certain.
100% more likely means 100% more likely i.e. double.
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>>>> 100% more <<<< means double the original starting value,
just as 50% more means one&half times as much,
and 150% more means two&half as much,
and 200% more means triple.
As to lorry drivers and their taking up road space, and their money-worth:
Without getting political, and just sticking to the point i.e. to emphasise the importance and need for roads and lorries as essential to our way of life -
all I wish to add is that there are four basic needs for life - food, water, shelter and fuel (for heat and cooking). Without roads and lorries, life in the West as we know it would come to a quick stop. The emergencey services are not essential for normal life, they are a luxury. A prolonged lorry drivers strike would be crippling for the economy and really life threatening.
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How long do you think 'normal life' would continue if there were no emergency services? There would be anarchy or martial law.It would be far easier for troops to drive lorries than to put out fires.
There are transport alternatives to lorries but I cannot think of an alternative to the fire brigade.
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If the army drove lorries, they'd do it in their orderly convoy fashion. It would be great, no overtaking on long inclines!
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"but I cannot think of an alternative to the fire brigade."
A smaller, more efficient and cost effective one, staffed by less greedy individuals would be a start.
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If there was a lorry drivers strike I would renew my HGV 1 license and make a fortune! Yipee! do you copy rubber duck?
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Roger dodger good buddy! I only got into this lark 'cos there's more money...
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don't get as many obnoxious passengers either.
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