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Everything you need to know before taking to the road this winter

Our unpredictable and destructive winter weather conditions can cause issues for everyone on the roads, in particular professional drivers who have to operate large and heavy goods vehicles. To help prepare for the season ahead, we’ve put together some advice to prepare professional drivers for the winter weather.

No matter how the weather seems on the day of your journey, you will always need to check the weather forecast ahead of time to prepare your vehicle accordingly for any unexpected weather conditions. Not only that, you will want to take a thorough look at your planned route for any information on road accidents or weather-related collisions to help prepare you and your vehicle for the journey ahead.

Vehicle checks are always essential before any journey specifically during the winter as the weather becomes increasingly unpredictable. You’ll need to ensure you have all of your necessary equipment with you to check your vehicle on the go and well insulated clothing for checking your vehicle in cold weather or if you were to break down.

Even though your daily checks will include ensuring your wipers, screen wash and de-misters are appropriate for driving, you’ll need to make a habit of ensuring your windows, lights, plates, and reflective markings, steps and handrails are clear of ice, snow, and dirt.

The weight of your vehicle can make a substantial difference to your vehicle’s handling at this time of year when gusty weather is likely to occur. Getting the right balance is key in windy weather. If your load is too light you could get blown off course by a strong side wind, but if it’s too heavy your vehicle handling can become increasingly difficult; especially around corners.

If extreme weather conditions come into play like heavy ice and snow, gritters and snow ploughs should be around to clear main roads; but don’t assume smaller, rural roads will be covered too. You’ll need to exercise extreme caution on all roads in these weather conditions, especially if your route requires you to take rural roads.

Most importantly: don’t take dangerous risks with yourself or your cargo.

If you come into contact with dangerous weather conditions on your journey and you do not feel equipped to deal with it, take a break in a place that’s safe to stop and only continue your journey when you feel safe enough to do so. It would also be worth reporting back to base to let them and other know of the situation before continuing safely.

 

 

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ARE WE HEADING FOR A CHRISTMAS OF CHAOS?

Nearly all of the food we eat, most of our clothes, and almost everything we use to build and furnish our homes is, at some point, moved by road transport. With over two million UK employees, road haulage is the UK’s fifth largest industry and contributes over £70 billion to the UK economy annually.

Haulage isn’t just about transportation of goods from A to B, its relationship to the success of British business is similar to the role of worker bees have in food production – critical.  But like the threats facing bees, the sector is facing unprecedented challenges this Christmas.

It is now widely accepted that there is an increasing shortage of drivers that ranges from about 45,000–60,000 depending on your source.  Drivers are retiring from the industry in high numbers, while the sector is also suffering from an inability to attract new talent as HGV licence applications have also dropped by more than 32,000 in the past five years.

The frustrating thing however is that for every driver the sector needs, there are actually three people in the UK with a valid LGV license who could do the work but two in three choose not to, so why is this?

The industry must take steps to improve its conditions so it can recruit and importantly retain the drivers it needs. The starting point has to be greater investment in recruitment, training and driver welfare following years of under-funding as well as roadside facilities for drivers which are currently scarce and inadequate, so must be improved.

Currently the industry is predominantly made up of over 45s, white and male.   Until more is done in regards to the approach to driver training, the funding of license acquisition, and facilities for drivers, then it is unlikely the sector will be able to broaden its appeal.

Why does it matter so much?  Quite simply without the haulage industry there is a very real likelihood of stores suffering from low levels of stock, with any lack of availability having a massive knock on effect on retailers, the construction industry or manufacturers all of whom rely on the sector to keep their businesses, and the UK’s economy, on track.

This Christmas is set to put a massive strain on depleted resources, yet is one that’s critically important to get right with a quarter of all personal spending taking place during the Christmas/holiday shopping season.  This puts an inevitable strain on the already under staffed haulage industry.

There are however some positive changes in the mix. There are just over 400,000 heavy goods vehicles registered in Britain and although the number has remained fairly static for many years now, productivity of new vehicles has increased.  The vehicles are also larger in terms of space they take up on our roads but also offer greater capacity.

There also continues to be a big increase in double-shifting – not of drivers but of vehicles. The newer vehicles are much more efficient and require less downtime. The sector is also embracing new technologies and is becoming an increasingly IT-driven industry allowing logistic businesses to use technology to plan, monitor and manage how a vehicle is best used.

It’s likely to be a challenging time this Christmas as businesses compete for the limited resources.  Let’s hope however that with continued improvements to technologies, transport and training the sector is once again able to take on the challenges it will undoubtedly face this Christmas.

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Business After Brexit

It’s now a couple of months since Britain took the brave step to exit the EU.  Since that time we’ve seen a new Prime Minister and Cabinet appointed, a volatile stock market and turbulent exchange rates as well as interest rates reach record lows.

Although only few may have predicted this situation at the start of the year, the reality is that the world continues to turn and that this economic environment is the new ‘norm’.  The good news however is that British businesses have been fast to react and return to business as usual.

According to the first estimate of the Office for National Statistics, GDP growth strengthened to 0.6 per cent in the second quarter of 2016, although much of that increase in activity was concentrated in the earlier part of the quarter, with a falling away seen in May and June as uncertainty crept in.

Although figures released last month show that the UK economy contracted by 0.2 per cent in the month following Brexit, the latest forecast from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) is that it’s increasingly unlikely that Britain will tip into recession.

Earlier this month the Bank of England also forecast that the economy would narrowly avoid a recession, largely because of its decision to cut interest rates to a new historic low of 0.25 per cent and restart its Quantitative Easing monetary stimulus programme.

With the various initiatives in place to stabilise the economy and confirmation from Teresa May that Britain will leave the EU, we are however seeing more certainty and with it confidence return to the marketplace.

It is also important to also differentiate between Brexit’s long-run impact, and the short term consequences of the vote itself and then any fallout from the negotiations, when they actually begin.

Admittedly, the longer term outcome will be dependent on what deal we obtain from the EU as well as the extent of the new trade agreements we sign with other countries, how migration is managed and the policies that the UK adopts to make it more competitive in an era of self-government.

So how big will the short-term hit be? HSBC’s guess is that the Bank of England will revise its growth prediction to 1.7pc this year, from 2pc, and slash it to just 0.5pc next year, from 2.3pc.

On the more positive side, sectors that were expected to take a hit, including property and retail companies, have shared their results this month and reported ‘normal’ activity and numerous investment projects – essentially business as usual.  It seems that the ‘Lehman Brothers moment’ has passed and we should now work to build on the new position.

The financial markets have also coped well and stabilised, the credit supply remains at pre-Brexit levels (though demand is unclear) however the pound’s exchange rate remains the biggest casualty.  Although many experts believe it may slip further as it remains overvalued in the new world order, however so far at least it has stopped falling.

As the dust settles from the announcement companies and customers must now embrace the new order and accept the change in order to protect and maintain their customer bases.

Let’s also hope that after the initial shock of Brexit that UK businesses recover to deliver a Nike-style swoosh of recovery as Gerard Lyons, Boris Johnson’s former chief economic adviser has suggested.

As we stand today it’s negativity and fear that has the biggest effect, not an actual reduction in output.  So what else should be done?  Perhaps a cut to corporation tax, Stamp Duty and/or VAT to encourage business will help bring a feel good factor to consumers.  It’s this consumer confidence that is perhaps the most important thing of all.

We should also not look to hide behind Brexit as an excuse for all our ills.  The sector in which we operate has a number of challenges including an inability to attract new talent as HGV licence applications have dropped by more than 32,000 in the past five years due to the cost of licence, lack of understanding of the industry and poor industry image.

Work also needs to be done to secure more funding for vocational training, better driver facilities, quicker turnaround of medical queries by the DVLA and a campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of working in the sector.  Perhaps money that has previously been allocated elsewhere could be diverted into these areas?

These measures, together with an aggressively pro-business Chancellor and Prime Minister, ought to help stabilise and encourage the economy in the short term.  It just then leaves us to build our own trade agreements and to negotiate a longer term position that is right for business after Brexit.

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Independent Driving Over Manufactured Manoeuvres

As the practical driving test celebrates its 80th birthday, the DVSA wants to change the format of the current test to better assess learner drivers on their ability to drive independently on busy, modern roads; rather than focussing on ‘manufactured manoeuvres’ such as a driver’s ability to turn the car around in a back street.

As yet there’s no change announced for to those preparing for their HGV license, although no doubt examiners will be on the watch to see how successful the new driving test would be before deciding to roll it out to other classes.

So what’s different?

One of the changes include ‘show me’ and ‘tell me’ questions that will be asked while the vehicle is in use on the road to access the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle’s controls safely while driving.

The trials will also look at increasing the duration of independent driving from ten minutes to twenty minutes; with the added use of a satellite navigation system (operated by the test instructor) that will be used during the trial test.

There will also be a change made to some of the test’s classic manoeuvres.  Instead of being asked to turn in the road, reverse around a corner or reverse park (either into a parking bay, or parallel parking at the side of the road) the DVSA is now asking for drivers to “Drive into and reverse out of a parking bay, pull up on the right, reverse, and rejoin the traffic or reverse parking (either into a parking bay, or parallel parking at the side of the road)”.

There is also some good news for those trialling the test.  For the learner drivers that take part in the trial driving test, if they are successful they will obtain a full UK driving license as the test being used in the research is an actual driving licence acquisition test.

The changes are designed to help new drivers and make them better prepared for modern roads and modern driving conditions.  As a further element to this, the DVSA will be introducing the use of satnav during the test and excluding manoeuvres that new drivers will rarely use like the ‘3 point turn in the road’.  This will leave more time for learners to show their abilities of driving independently and confidently – skills that will be essential to them when they pass their test.

So are you in favour of ditching the dreaded ‘turn in the road’ for more independent driving during a test?  Let us know in the comments!

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An Evening of Glitz and Glamour for Drivers Direct

It’s that time of year again; the red carpets are rolled out, the tables are adorned with the finest bottles of bubbly and we get out our best outfits. The night of glamour we’re talking about is, of course, the famous Drivers Direct Annual Dinner, held in celebration of the company’s accomplishments of the past year – and what a year it has been!

In the last twelve months, we’ve successfully launched and ran a logistics division, increased the number of commercial vehicles in our fleet, provided more shifts, opened new premises in three major cities. We also received recognition as a corporate member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and have made a number of appearances at leading industry events, including Truckfest.

Of course all of these achievements would not have been possible without the hard work from each and every one of our dedicated employees. Naturally, there was only one way forward; to celebrate in style whilst raising money for a fantastic cause.

On Saturday 9th July, for the fourteenth year running, we hosted our prestigious company dinner. Taking place in the ball room of the impressive Victory Service Club near to the exquisite Marble Arch in London, 162 members of the Drivers Direct team met for an evening of live music, incredible food and exceptional company.

During the evening, in an effort to show the company’s appreciation for its staff, awards were presented for six categories: League Division 1, 2 and 3, Highest Margin Branch, Franchise of the Year and Employee of the Year, as well as a long-service award to those who have remained a part of the team for a significant amount of time.

We’re proud to announce that the following employees and branches were crowned winners (drum roll please!):

Employee of the Year: Matt Rogers from our Crewe Branch

Highest Gross Profit: Crew Branch

League One Winners: Sheffield Branch (branch manager David Dawson won a long weekend in New York).

League Two Winners: Cardiff Branch (branch manager Claire Osborne won a long weekend in Paris)

League Three Winners: Liverpool Branch (branch manager Emma Hughes won a long weekend in London).

Franchise of the Year: Northampton (franchisees: John and Bev Major)

In addition, Helen Walker from our Crewe branch and Vicky Meaden from the headquarters in Runcorn received the two long service awards after dedicating five years to the company and received a Mont Blanc pen and a certificate of recognition.

Finally, a special award was presented to Bill Tirebuck, a founding partner of Drivers Direct, who will sadly be retiring at the end of this month.

Not only were we able to celebrate yet another successful year for the company, but during the evening we also seized the opportunity to raise money for a fantastic charitable cause, and this year, donations were made to Cancer Research UK. We’re pleased to announce that the kind donations of everyone in attendance resulted in £1,200 being raised on the night, however, we will double this to donate a total of £2,400 to a wonderful cause.

Once again, we would like to say congratulations to all who took home an award. Whilst we were only able to present six awards, we recognise that every team member has been exceptional in their work ethic and has contributed to the success we have experienced over the past year. At Drivers Direct, we cannot wait to see what the next year has in store for us, which will of course be celebrated at the next annual dinner!

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A SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR DRIVERS DIRECT LOGISTICS

June 29th 2016 marks exactly one year to the day that Drivers Direct Logistics first officially opened its doors for business. As you might expect with any new venture; it has not been without its challenges, however the Drivers Direct Logistics team is proud to celebrate and share a number of successes.

When we opened our doors we had one client however, over the last twelve months we have increased this to eight. This increase is a clear indicator that we have listened to our clients and are supplying them with the services they require- essentially an offer that not only includes access to qualified drivers but a complete logistics package that includes people, vehicles and logistics management.

Although initially offering access to 6 commercial vehicles, in less than six months after launching we needed to add to the fleet to cope with the growing demand. We now run 22 commercial vehicles including nine brand new trucks, these recently were delivered to our depot, much to the delight of our regular drivers who get to take them out on the road.

With the success of the logistics department came more work for our drivers. During our first week of trading we filled 20 shifts each week, now we fill in excess of 110 shifts. At first, our operational requirements meant we could only staff our shifts from two Drivers Direct branches but we now confidently call upon 11 to assist with our driver requirements.

Initially operating out of our new premises in Royton we have now expanded to provide services to the Leeds and Birmingham areas and we also plan to open a second depot in Hampshire in the very near future.

All of this was only made possible with the support of our branch network & Head Office team. We owe them all a huge thank you for all their help and support in getting Drivers Direct Logistics to this milestone.

With plans of a second depot there is most certainly exciting times ahead but no-one is looking to rest on their laurels any time soon, with targets for growth and profitability to aim for –  but for today, we can look back on the completion of a successful first year.

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Calls for new drink driving regulations

Drink driving is once again in the news due to a publication released earlier this year by the Parliamentary Advisory Committee for Transport safety. Last year Scotland lowered their legal drink drive limit from 80mg/100ml down to 50mg/100ml and now there is calls for England and Wales to follow suit.

GEM Motoring Assist says the UK Government must accept that the drink drive limit in England and Wales is too high. There are calls for an immediate commitment to reducing the limit, combined with increased police activity to enforce the law.

The demand follows the publication of the new ‘Fit to Drive’ report by the Parliamentary Advisory Committee for Transport Safety, showing that alcohol impairment continues to be a major contributory factor to crashes. Around 4.5 fatal collisions every week in 2013 (the most recent figures available) were related to drink driving. To put that into perspective, one in six deaths on the road involved drivers that are over the legal alcohol limit.

GEM chief executive David Williams MBE commented: “It’s believed that reducing the limit from 80mg/100ml to 50mg/100ml would save around 25 lives and 95 serious injuries every year.”

The current 80mg limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is higher than most other European countries and Northern Ireland is already consulting on whether to lower its limit to 50mg for most motorists, with an effective zero limit for learner, novice and professional drivers.

Although alcohol is the biggest reported impairment to driving, the report also highlighted that motorists may be taking to the roads impaired from other causes without knowing it.  Impairment from drugs, uncorrected defective eyesight and mental or physical illness or disability continue to be issues within the motor industry.

“There is a fundamental expectation that drivers should be fit to do so,” says Professor Oliver Carsten, lead author of the report. “Short-term factors based on personal behavior such as alcohol and drug use are widely known to affect fitness to drive. However, there are long-term factors such as physical or cognitive impairment that account for 6 per cent of all fatal crashes, while fatigue is a factor in 3 per cent.”

Consequences for those caught over the limit are strict with a 12month ban being a minimum sentence as well as criminal record and hefty fine, when it comes to drink driving the rules are clear and simple, so it’s always better safe than sorry.

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KEEP ON TRUCKING

Truckfest has become an annual occurrence for the Drivers Direct team and 2016 is no exception.  Being able to meet, connect and build rapport with prospective customers is key to upholding our professional relationships and the festival is the ideal tool for this.

We feel there can be a lot to gain from promoting our product in person. Trade shows are generally targeted at an industry and individuals that are involved or interested in that industry,  while Truckfest is centred around transport and haulage and attracts leading companies from the industry so is an ideal opportunity to reach our target market and create brand awareness.

The popularity of Truckfest amongst industry professionals consequently means that the event is a brilliant networking opportunity from which we can gain speak to customers and potential customers about our offering and compare and contrast ourselves against the market.

We have already had a strong presence at the renowned event in Peterborough during May. From our stand we provided information to all those individuals looking for a career in the driving industry and those who had perhaps not considered it before. The festival is open to a large and diverse range of individuals therefore, provided us with a platform to promote our service to a broader group that may have little or no knowledge of Drivers Direct or even the haulage industry.

Perhaps most importantly, it is always a great opportunity to have a little fun and create brand awareness using alternative methods. At the Peterborough event we created an eye catching display of our new trucks at the Cancer Research UK collection point and our branded balloons also caught the attention of passers by. With the event hosting live music and entertainment it certainly creates a brilliant atmosphere.

Following on from our success at the Peterborough event we have consequently confirmed stands at future Truckfest events including Newbury (28th & 29th May) and Knutsford (17th & 18th September).

Truckfest is a fun and informative event for all those involved in the driving and logistics sector, professional and enthusiasts alike, and we’re looking forward to meeting those who visit future events.

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DRIVERS DIRECT JOINS LEADING INDUSTRY BODY

Drivers Direct has been appointed as a corporate member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT).  In a prestigious ceremony, more than 100 representatives from 57 companies gathered at the Kettering Park Hotel to receive their commemorative plaque for 2015-2016.

In a separate announcement, Gethin Roberts, founder and managing director of Drivers Direct, was appointed as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport.  The appointments are in recognition of the role that Drivers Direct, and the recently launched logistics division, plays in the industry.

The event included members from across the profession, including those from the financial sector, leading universities and the biggest names in logistics and transport.

Kevin Richardson FCILT, Chief Executive, CILT, said: ‘The corporate side of CILT is significant to us. We believe that having corporate members enables us to interact with organisations and members in a way that our individual membership doesn’t allow.  Getting a group like this together and having companies such as Drivers Direct as members makes us a very strong organisation.’

Gethin Roberts, managing director of Drivers Direct, adds: “We’re proud to now be part of CILT and look forward to helping influence the shape of the industry.  Our industry still faces many challenges; the driver shortage, skills gaps and attracting a diverse workforce however by working within CILT we hope to to play our part on addressing these issues and sharing best practice.’

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BACKING THE BEST TO CHALLENGE CUP SUCCESS

New Farington House has been crowned Challenge Cup winners after victory over rivals New Longton Rovers in a thrilling match held at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium, Bamber Bridge.  The New Farington House team, whose club is sponsored by Drivers Direct, came from 3-1 down to take the trophy after a pulsating match.

After a challenging first half, New Farington House pulled themselves back into the game with a well struck shot from Zack Wilkes early in the second half.  Minutes later Dylan Agnew levelled the scores at 3-3 and almost immediately from the restart a beautifully lofted ball into the area was headed home by Adam Smith to make the score 4-3 and to take the Challenge Cup home to Centurion Way, Leyland.

Gethin Roberts, managing director of Drivers Direct, comments: “A fantastic result for Farry House who showed real grit and determination to come from behind to win the cup.  As a local employer and with employees involved in the team, we’re proud to be sponsors of the club and to have helped them in some way to achieve such great successes this season.”

League President Dave Carlisle presented the Cup and souvenir medals to the teams on behalf of the sponsors the Syndicate Trust.

New Farington House Football Club are an FA Charter Standard Club that Play in the Lancashire Sunday Football League, playing in the Premier Division.  Known locally as Farry House, the squad is managed by Stephen Broomhead and includes Graeme Conroy who is club secretary and a Drivers Direct employee.

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