As a former driver, I can't say I'm too surprised that things have deteriorated to this level.

When I did my school run, VOSA and Durham Council were regularly at the school. Council checking badges and licenses and VOSA checking vehicles and licences. I was advised, I won't say who (but they weren'tqualified engerneering staff) , told me that if my vehicle had defects not too enter the school grounds, drop the kids off and leave so the vehicle wouldn't get checked. I would like to point out that I always went into the school.

Another incident, I broke down on a live dual carriageway (50mph), had to ring the police as I was a hazard and for them to partially close the lane and I got 'warned' about doing that in the future from management as the police asked the engineers why this happened and why they took so long to respond. How many engineers (and yardmen) got sent? 9.....