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TACKLING DRIVER SHORTAGES

For a number of years now the UK’s haulage industry has seen a steady decline in the number of HGV drivers available, with those retiring or pursuing alternative careers outnumbering those entering the industry.

Additionally, of those who have a career in the industry, the average age is currently 53 with only two percent of drivers under 25. These statistics highlight the need to attract new talent to the industry in order to keep the natural progression within the workforce running smoothly.

It’s clear that many young employees who may have traditionally chosen the haulage and logistics industry aren’t now doing so. Some of the off putting elements are the industry’s associations with lifting and moving objects as well as a lack of a metaphorical job ladder to climb. Once these are combined with the negative press surrounding the industry’s high work rates due to driver shortages, there is a clear hurdle to be overcome.

The good news is that action is now being taken to tackle these issues, however attracting new talent isn’t easy. HGV licence applications have dropped by more than 32,000 in the past five years which can be accredited to several reasons, including: the cost of licence acquisition, lack of understanding of the industry and poor industry image.

We believe there is a need to better highlight the benefits of working in an industry that is so crucial to the UK economy. The Road Haulage Association (RHA), Freight Transport Association (FTA), The Chartered Institute of logistics and transport and the Government have all acknowledged the issues and initiatives are now being put in place to tackle the problem.

All have similarly pledged to campaign for changes to help combat the shortage: including, funding for vocational training, better driver facilities, quicker turnaround of medical queries by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and a campaign to raise awareness of the logistics sector.

Alongside this The Recruitment & Employment Federation (REC) have also spoken out on the issue. The REC have highlighted the impact that a driver shortage is having on the productivity of the UK economy; the importance of the recruitment industry in solving driver shortages; and called on the government to take urgent action in regards to those issues raised above.

With a concerted effort by all relevant bodies to tackle the apparent issues it is hoped the HGV driver shortage can be effectively and efficiently managed and be kept from bringing many industries that rely on the deliveries to a literal grinding halt.

For our own part, we are in support of the actions taken by the industry bodies and are also working on a programme of attracting more people to the sector.   This ranges from raising the industry profile at a local branch level, to attending and recruiting at popular events such as Truckfest.  We are also working with organisations such as the armed forces, whose personnel share many of the common skill sets needed in drivers such as being organised, punctual and responsible.

With a cohesive and positive approach we’re confident the industry will once again attract the right people to help it continue to deliver on its customer’s promises.

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Shelling Out For Easter

With Easter just around the corner, one might start to wonder how the Easter Bunny delivers the 80 million Easter eggs and sweet treats to children across the country. That’s where we come in, using logistics technology, savvy strategies and perfect planning we play our part in getting Easter treats from ‘A’ to ‘B’.

National holidays crop up throughout the year and when they rear their head it’s all hands to the pump here at Drivers Direct as getting the right products to the right place and at the right time is critical for our client’s business success.

The holiday seasons often equate to large revenues for client businesses. In a bid to make the most of those extra days off Britons can spend 120% more than on an average weekend. The words ‘out of stock’ are forbidden amongst manufacturers during this time and on-time deliveries are crucial within the supply chain journey. These pressures are piled on top of an already congested road network and busy logistics industry.

It will come as no great surprise that Britain already has the busiest, most congested roads in Europe with 77 vehicles per kilometre of road, 76% more than the European average.  On top of this it is estimated that this Easter Bank Holiday as many as 16 million cars will take to the roads. Navigating the UK’s road systems to tight time deadlines is no mean feat for even the most seasoned logistics professional or vehicle driver.

Qualified drivers and logistics professionals are currently in short supply. A shortage of UK lorry drivers means Drivers Direct is called upon to fill the additional roles required over holiday season, to the extent that we now have more than 1000 drivers on the road each week.

An increase in consumer demand creates a domino effect across the entire chain. More product requires greater truck capacity. Resulting in a greater number of vehicles needed and consequently, drivers to operate these vehicles.

Although the Bank Holiday throws up challenges for logistics professionals, it comes as no great surprise that with careful pre-planning the Easter headache can be eased. So, as Britain indulges in chocolaty delights this Easter, think of our Drivers Direct Easter bunnies who are working tirelessly to make sure no one goes empty handed over the weekend.

 

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The Complete Package

There’s no denying that business is booming as more and more clients turn to Drivers Direct when looking to bolster their business with qualified and professional drivers.  However, with more than 1000 drivers now on the road every week, clients were increasingly asking us whether we could offer the complete package and also provide them with vehicles.

With this in mind last year we launched our new logistics division. It was a key step towards providing our customers with an offer that not only includes access to qualified drivers but a complete logistics package that includes people, vehicles and logistics management.

Headquartered in Royton, near Oldham, the logistics division is positioned perfectly for excellent access to the northern motorway network and, with the ideal infrastructure and technology in place, the team is well placed to meet and exceed required service levels.

Although initially offering access to more than twenty commercial vehicles, in less than six months after launching we’ve needed to add to the fleet to cope with the growing demand. Nine brand new trucks have been delivered to the office, much to the delight of our regular drivers who get to take them out on the road. Renault was selected as our supplier of choice due to their vehicle range and commitment to meet our requirements.

The logistics division’s success has largely been down to the team running the operations as it is full of experienced, qualified professionals. The team understands what required of them, the importance of client deadlines and how to deliver the most cost effective logistics solutions available.

With the right people and continued client demand, we’re confident that our logistics division will continue to go from strength to strength.  We’re proud to say that from the inception of Drivers Direct, through to our recent expansion, it’s a pleasure to work within the sector, particularly now we can offer the complete package.

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STAY SAFE WHATEVER THE WEATHER

There’s no denying it, this winter has been one of the wettest and warmest on record as the Met Office advises that the last few months have seen record rainfall and temperatures more often associated with the British summertime.

As wet weather can cause some of the most hazardous driving conditions, we thought we would share some useful tips and hints to help you through these uncharacteristically wet conditions.

To begin, plan your journey in advance and take care to avoid areas which are prone to flooding and factor in extra time to allow for slower speeds and potential congestion.  It’s important to ensure your vehicle is also prepared by checking windscreen wiper blades are fully functional and that you have sufficient fuel, as using lights and heaters or being caught in traffic can use more fuel than driving in normal conditions.

While on the road, use dipped headlights so that other drivers can see you more easily.  Be careful not to use rear fog lights as this can mask your brake lights or dazzle drivers behind you.  Perhaps most importantly, reduce your speed and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front to account for greater stopping distances – remember to double the two-second rule as ‘only a fool breaks the two second rule’.

Watch out for spray from other large or fast moving vehicles and remember that driving fast through standing water could lead to tyres losing contact with the road.  If this happens, do not brake but ease off the accelerator and allow your speed to reduce until you gain full control of the steering again.

Driving fast through deep water or flooded areas can also cause serious damage and be expensive to repair, so don’t attempt to drive through water unless you are sure of the depth – the edge of the kerb is a good indicator.  Motoring organisations also advise to never attempt to drive through fast flowing water as vehicles can easily get swept away and remember to test your brakes after leaving any water.

As we head in to February, we may yet see the more typical freezing or snowy conditions return.  If that’s the case, check all windows, lights and number plates are clear, so you can both see and be seen.

Do keep a watch out for icy conditions as clear winter skies can quickly leave areas frozen, particularly if the road surface is wet.  Good indicators of ice on the roads can be frozen windscreens or pavements. In icy conditions remember to accelerate and brake gently to avoid skidding.

When driving in such wintery conditions, use a higher gear than normal as it helps reduce wheel spin on slippery surfaces and move off gently to avoid spinning the wheels.  As with wet weather conditions, leave extra space between you and other vehicles and take even more care at junctions where road markings may not be visible or snow compacted.

By following these simple measures, and taking extra care of yourself and vehicle during these wet and wintery conditions, we hope that you stay safe whatever the weather.

 

 

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One for the road won’t hurt – will it?

Every year more than 3,000 people in the UK are killed or injured as a result of crashes on our roads relating to drink–driving, with the numbers predictably spiking over the Christmas period. In 2013 260 people were killed in accidents where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit, making alcohol consumption one of the largest threats to the road safety of us all, not helped by peer pressure to party at this time of year.

In 1979 when official records were first compiled, 1,640 people lost their lives as a result of a drink-driver. Since then numbers have been falling almost year on year, helped in no small part by successive, often hard-hitting, government and police advertising campaigns and increasingly tough legislation.

When public information films first highlighted the dangers of drink driving back in 1964, drinking and driving was considered the norm, with no recognised safe limit and no breathalyser testing. In the first ever advert a polite, light-hearted cartoon aimed at the middle-aged party-goer pointed out the likelihood of having an accident after four, six and up to eight whiskies with the simple message `if he’s been drinking, don’t let him drive.’

A range of emotive, often shocking tactics have followed over the years, pulling no punches.  This year, with research showing that one in 10 people would consider getting behind the wheel after having two drinks or more, the Department of Transport’s Think! Christmas campaign firmly targets those people who probably don’t consider themselves a high risk – unaware that a second drink can double their chance of a fatal collision.

So with the nation donning its collective gladrags for the office party season, forces across the country are braced for their traditionally hectic festive and New Year period, trying hard to raise awareness of the dangers on our roads and keep people safe as they travel around. It’s a busy time for us at Drivers Direct too with the placing of drivers of all classes for clients who need support either on a temporary, seasonal or more permanent basis.

Even a very small amount of alcohol can affect driving performance and there is no way of knowing how long it will take to sober up completely after a few drinks. In general, people are getting far better at staying away from the wheel at night but too many are quick to jump back behind it after a sleep, unaware that they are still over the limit. One in five people admit to driving the morning after having a lot to drink the night before and nearly one in six convicted drink drivers are caught in the morning.

Don’t take chances. Stay safe, drive safe and have a very Merry Christmas.

 

 

 

 

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Christmas is coming…

As the Festive season gets into full swing, Michael Watson, Head of Logistics, from Drivers Direct, looks into the struggles the industry faces in managing the daily deliveries in the run up to Christmas.

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This time of year is a notoriously busy period for the motor transport industry, with retailers expected to send out 20 percent more parcels than this time last year.

As ‘Black Friday’ takes over the UK with more than 700,000 deliveries expected to be shipped over the weekend, combined with the usual surge in Christmas shopping sales, suppliers and their distributors are being put under pressure to meet tighter deadlines, keep shelves stocked and fulfil orders.

Although a further 19,000 Royal Mail drivers employed during the busy period, Christmas deadlines are often just ‘managed’ rather than exceeded and drivers are often required to work longer hours. Schedules are put under extreme pressure from more demanding customers and innovations from retail giants such as promises to deliver before 9am, 12pm and next day.

Industry insiders reckon that there are now around 40,000 delivery drivers at the forefront of a battle between retailers competing to offer the fastest or cheapest deliveries.

Once you throw in a dash snow and a sprinkle of ice to the recipe, the £4.5bn UK delivery industry can be thrown into chaos as drivers are unable to get to work, vehicles are unable to return to base on time and drivers can be left waiting for vehicles and loads.

These factors along with ensuring compliance with the legislation that governs the hours drivers are allowed to be on the road, make it crucial for companies to remain organised and efficient during these challenging times.

The Road Haulage Association, which represents the delivery industry, says the sector needs 60,000 more drivers to cope.  As a result however, the last three months of the year, the demand for drivers is greater than ever as companies run close to or even beyonde capacity.  So to stay ahead of increasing requests from clients, Drivers Direct starts planning the peak season from the beginning of July with a strong drive in the field of recruitment and training.

We book our drivers out for contract work, which means we can start gauging their availability in the summer and begin to plan a strategy. We also review last year’s peak trading period, this helps us predict the requirements for this year, and more importantly we work very closely with our clients to ensure we meet their demands and expectations and train all staff so they’re confident within the job.

With the right support and preparation, Christmas can be a busy but rewarding time of year that can be enjoyed equally by clients, customers and even delivery drivers.

 

 

 

 

 

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Driving In The Dark

There’s no doubt that driving at night is more dangerous. A Department for Transport study revealed that although only 15 per cent of vehicle miles are clocked between 7pm and 7am, they account for almost a third of road injuries and deaths.

The main reason for an increase in traffic accidents is due to reduced visibility and difficulty judging speed and distance. So as the clocks go back and the dark nights draw in, below are a few handy tips for driving at night.

Sight is seeing. It’s vital to get your sight checked regularly as this will highlight any underlying problems such as glaucoma, as this can affect your night vision. Also, never wear dark or tinted lenses for night driving.

Lighten up. The Institute of Advanced Motorists advises motorists to keep headlights on after sunrise and turning them on for an hour before sunset so it’s easier for motorists to see you during twilight. Make sure all exterior lights are clean and working properly and only use interior lights when stationary.

Don’t dazzle. When driving on rural roads, full beams are useful to see into the distance, but make sure to dip the headlights when facing on-coming traffic as this can dazzle other drivers.

Keep a steady speed. Avoid dropping speed rapidly when approaching on-coming traffic and then speeding up again once you’ve passed. This can be confusing for motorists travelling behind you.

Stay clean. Make sure your windows are clean inside and out as dirty windows will increase the glare from other vehicles and are more prone to steaming up.

Be prepared and read the road ahead for signs of on-coming traffic. Glimmers of lights at the top of hills could be other road users, so anticipate your lights may need to be dipped soon. Ensure to read all the road signs and be more alert when travelling through pedestrian zones, as people and cyclists can be harder to spot, especially if they are not wearing reflective clothing.

Finally, take your breaks. It’s always essential to take regular breaks when driving long distances, but this is even more vital when you’re driving in darkness. It’s important to stop for a rest and keep yourself alert and legal.

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Is There Need For Speed?

Despite the dangers of speeding regularly appearing through various road safety campaigns – head turning statistics, heart-wrenching TV adverts and even shocking road signs, some drivers continue to push the boundaries of speed restrictions in an effort to reach their destination quicker.

This is evident in the number of speeding fines, which is increasing year on year, with more than 115,000 motorists fined in 2013. However, figures from THINK! presents another shocking, but realistic statistic – speed is a main factor in all fatal accidents.

It’s public knowledge that speeding is both dangerous and illegal, so why do some drivers continue to risk both their lives and others?

Research conducted by the AA Foundation found that, although speeding is widespread, drivers aged 17-24 drive the fastest with males more likely to speed than women. There is a growing concern that speeding is now largely accepted as a ‘social norm’ and perhaps even considered to be a ‘trend’. Unbelievably, a survey conducted by THINK! found that 82% of people believe littering to be unacceptable behaviour, whereas only 71% discouraged driving at 40mph in a 30mph zone. Despite 30 zones being situated in well – populated areas, such as schools and housing estates, 50% of drivers break the 30mph speed limit.

As well as lateness, drivers exceed the limit for a number of reasons; their car is newer and faster, they are unaware of the speed limit and some motorist speed because they think it is unlikely they’ll get caught. With the minimum fine starting at £100 and three penalty points added to your driving license plus stricter punishments for those travelling at higher speeds, is it really worth the risk?

Domestic drivers often forget that limits are maximum’s, not minimum’s, and often, depending on the weather conditions, it may not be safe to travel at the maximum speed. Drivers should always allow enough time and space to slow or stop for unexpected situations and if you are running late for something, ring ahead so that the drive isn’t rushed.

At Drivers Direct, we believe it is crucial to follow the guidance of speed limits and all driving laws. The core purpose of speed limits is simply to help keep all motorists and pedestrians safe. Our drivers are trained to follow road legislation which in turn helps provide our clients with an efficient service, as well as keeping other road users safe.

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Congestion In The UK…

Earlier this month the UK climbed one place to become the fifth most congested country in Europe, with the average driver spending 30 hours in congestion every year. The increase in traffic on roads has now been directly linked to how well UK PLC is performing.

Last year the UK economy grew by 2.8%, which was faster than any other major developed European country and double the European average. Also, due to the economy recovering, levels of unemployment also decreased last year by 21%.

The increase in consumer spending has led to a rise in private and commercial vehicles as well as more people commuting to work by car. This combined with a spurring of national road works and construction campaigns has led to a growth in congestion.

Furthermore, population growth and urbanisation are key drivers to an increase in congestions and last year the UK’s population grew by 491,100, reaching a record high. London was one of the worst affected areas, with residents being stuck in traffic for an average of 96 hours – that’s the equivalent to nine working days stuck in traffic!

The A217, a 10 mile stretch of road in London, was named the busiest road for congestion, however, congestion as a whole increased in 77% of the UK’s cities with Manchester closely following London for the worst traffic in the UK.

Garrett Emmerson, TFL (Transport for London) London’s Chief Operations Office commented on the congestion within London and stated: “We are seeing unprecedented increases in population and this, combined with strong economic growth creates more traffic. That’s why we invest every penny in improving the capital’s transport network, including an unprecedented £4 billion pounds over the next few years to transform junctions, bridges, tunnels, cycling lanes and pedestrian areas.”

Other authorities have announced they will trial stricter traffic control measures in a bid to tackle congestion as well as lower air pollution in the UK’s most congested cities.

Recognising the UK has a congestion problem can only be a good thing, especially when authorities are taking measure to rectify the situation. As a driving agency it is not uncommon for our drivers to come across traffic. Let’s just hope that by this time next year we won’t be that one step closer to becoming the most congested country in Europe.

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Hang up on social driving…

In a technology driven world, it’s no surprise that there are more than 83.1 million mobile phones in the UK. Phones have become integral in our everyday routine, using them for work, rest and play. However, as mobile phones become more mainstream, they now present serious danger on the road as some UK drivers continue to use their phone behind the wheel.

Since 2003, using hand-held phones whilst driving has been illegal, which includes periods of queueing in traffic or at traffic lights. Similarly, they cannot be used when supervising a learner driver. However, all drivers should be aware that if there is an emergency and it is unsafe or impractical to stop, drivers may use their phone to dial 999 – this is the only exception to the rules.

You may think the penalty of breaking these rules would be enough to deter drivers – a maximum fine of £1000 or £2500 for drivers of buses and good vehicles, would go a long way towards their phone bill, not to mention at least three points marked on your license.

However, figures from a 2012 survey conducted by the Department for Transport found that 378 accidents reported that year involved a mobile phone, resulting in a horrific 548 casualties, 17 of them fatal. Motoring experts now believe that mobile phone use is now the biggest cause of death on UK roads.

Despite these harrowing facts and figures, a disturbing new trend has emerged, taking over social media with the hashtag #DrivingSelfie. A recent survey found that out of 500 drivers questioned, 1 in 5 admitted to taking selfies while on the road. Even more shockingly, one in 12 admitted to using Skype or FaceTime to video call whilst behind the wheel, while another 7 per cent admitted to watching TV during their journey.

After conducting a survey which found 70% of young drivers consider texting acceptable when pulled over with the engine running, The AA has pledged to help tackle the nationwide problem by working alongside driving instructors. With pressure mounting to increase the penalty fines, the motor specialists are aiming to spread the safety message, by ensuring that lessons for future learners have a prominent focus on mobile phone usage, highlighting the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of the law.

Here at Drivers Direct, our driver’s safety is our priority. As using a mobile phone behind the wheel can affect every road user and has serious consequences, our training and recruitment ensures that all our drivers know and follow the law. With this in place we can provide a safe and effective service, safe in the knowledge that our drivers know that the solution is simple: don’t use your phone behind the wheel.

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