Hands off the wheel?
Posted by rrowlands@descartes.com on 18th May 2022
Here’s another scenario to add to the list of ‘What not to do when driving!’.
Thames Valley Police reported they pulled over a HGV driver after he was caught driving with no hands on the wheel. The d
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All hand-held phone use to be illegal in 2022
Posted by AndrewT on 19th Nov 2021
The Government is closing loopholes in the use of mobile phones making it illegal to use a hand-held device under virtually any circumstance while driving.
It is already illegal to text or make a pho
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This is what can happen when you use a mobile phone whilst driving
Posted by AndrewT on 9th Aug 2021
A HGV driver was jailed in July for three and half years after colliding with another vehicle while using a mobile phone. The vehicle was a security van that had broken down in lane one of the A27 dua
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Have your say on mobile phone use
Posted by AndrewT on 29th Oct 2020
A consultation has been launched to strengthen the laws around the use of a mobile phone whilst in charge of a vehicle on the road. Laws exist to stop drivers using mobile phones already, however, t
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Driving tired is 'worse than being on drugs'
Posted by Robin Layfield on 31st Aug 2017
According to recent research, driving in state of fatigue has contributed to more road accidents in Great Britain than those impaired by taking drugs.
The study found 20% of road accidents on major r
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New measures to stop drivers using their mobile phones will have serious consequences for HGV drivers
Posted by AndrewT on 24th Sep 2015
Most people should be aware that using a mobile phone or any handheld device while driving is a criminal offence. However, it is surprising how many people still do it. In 2014 the fixed penalty was i
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Accidents on Motorways involving foreign HGVs up 14%
Posted by AndrewT on 8th May 2015
Collisions on motorways involving foreign HGVs have increased 14% since 2012 according to statistics from Accident Exchange.
The M25 had more foreign HGV accidents than any other road in the UK, hard
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HGV drivers offences
Posted by AndrewT on 27th Feb 2015
What are the most common offences for HGV drivers? How might they be avoided?
See below HGV drivers offences from 2013 vs 2014 in numbers. Download a PDF of HGV Driver offences here.
Smartanalysis w
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Abolition of the photocard licence counterpart
Posted by AndrewT on 19th Feb 2015
What does this mean for employers of professional drivers?
The Department for Transport is making an important change to driving licences that will impact HGV and PCV drivers and the companies that e
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HGV safety this winter
Posted by AndrewT on 5th Dec 2014
Every winter, hundreds accidents involving Heavy Good Vehicles were due to snow and ice.
Statistics, from the Department for Transport, show the risks of adverse weather conditions for HGV fleets in t
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HGV driver was unaware of lost licence!
Posted by AndrewT on 21st Oct 2014
HGV driver who had no licence was three times over drink-drive limit. This is a sad and unusual case of a HGV driver caught driving when he was three times over the drink driving limit and he didn’t e
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Campaign for tougher sentences wins MP an award – What does this mean for professional drivers?
Posted by AndrewT on 16th May 2014
Richard Graham, MP was given a national road safety award by the charity Brake and Direct Line Group for his campaign for tougher sentences for disqualified, unlicensed and uninsured drivers that kill
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Illegal, annoying and dangerous – but we do it anyway!
Posted by AndrewT on 24th Feb 2014
According to research conducted for Halfords, 32% of motorists admit to making or receiving a call on a hand-held phone whilst driving. This is despite the fact that 82% knew it was illegal. 78% had
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Hands free compliance - but is it safe?
Posted by AndrewT on 16th Oct 2012
Drivers making telephone calls using a hands-free kit are just as distracted as those on handheld devices according to research recently conducted by Which?
Unsurprisingly they found that texting is f
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Digital driver cards and your responsibilities.
Posted by AndrewT on 2nd Oct 2012
If you are a HGV or PSV driver and holder of a digital driver card you need to be aware of your responsibilities. If you are found to be in breach of the rules you can be fined or, in the most serious
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Foreign truck drivers to pay £10 a day to use British roads – Be careful what you wish for.
Posted by AndrewT on 17th Sep 2012
The Department for Transport have revealed plans for new legislation to charge foreign truck £10 a day to use British roads by 2015.
The new Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin unveiled plans to c
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Driver CPC - Take advantage now.
Posted by AndrewT on 11th Sep 2012
Professional bus and coach drivers have 364 days left to complete their 35 hours of periodic training needed for their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
Driver CPC for bus and coac
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Will HGV sensors protect cyclists?
Posted by AndrewT on 31st Jul 2012
Recently an influential group of MPs said hauliers should be encouraged to fit new sensors to their fleet to protect cyclists. The Transport Select Committee (TSC) described a 15% rise in cyclist deat
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Motorway madness for UK Hauliers?
Posted by AndrewT on 24th Jul 2012
The Association of British Drivers (ABD) has recently commented that the Government's desire to extract the maximum capacity from the motorway network at the lowest possible cost could jeopardise road
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If you don’t know what an éthylotest is right now you soon will
Posted by AndrewT on 29th Jun 2012
Any vehicle travelling through France from July 1st 2012 will be required to carry a disposable breathalyser or 'éthylotest' or alcometer. The device must be un-used and within the use by date stated
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Sat Nav – A help or hindrance for professional drivers?
Posted by AndrewT on 7th Jun 2012
New research from Lancaster University and Royal Holloway, University of London, reveal using satellite navigation systems can reduce drivers’ performance. A series of experiments were conducted where
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