COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

DRIVING LESSONS

A RoSPA initiative, which identified a need for further skills and training among young people who drive for work, has culminated in the creation of a free online toolkit (www.rospa.com/roadsafety/ youngdriversatwork) to enable employers to run their own in-house workshops. The workshop is designed to be led by fleet,

human resources or health and safety managers, or by road safety professionals, and is for 17-24 year old employees who drive as part of their job. Ideal for groups of 10 to 15 participants,

it addresses a range of issues raised by both employers and young drivers in a study conducted at the start of the project, as well as covering some of the common causes of accidents. It encourages participants to discuss their own experiences of driving for work and to identify how personal tendencies can lead to unsafe situations, in addition to covering wider issues such as deadline pressures, unfamiliar vehicles and travelling to new locations. The workshop discussions can also gauge

how well an organisation’s work related road safety policies are being adopted by their drivers in practice. Sessions can therefore add to an organisation’s knowledge and help managers take steps towards improving the safety of their young employees.

COMEDY VEHICLE

The commercial vehicle arm of Fiat Group Automobiles UK has launched its new sitcom, called The Fleet, which got its first three minute airing in a special centre commercial break during News At Ten in March. The campaign has come from a simple observation: while the van market has moved on in terms of its product, the same has not happened in communication. ‘We needed a radical

approach to marketing, in a sector that has been hit hard by the recession, is incredibly competitive and where we are a relatively small brand,’ said Gerry Clarke, director, Fiat Professional UK. The campaign is the brainchild of krow, which has been appointed to handle the Fiat Professional UK advertising account. ‘We want to show

we really understand our target market, and give ourselves the opportunity of starting

TO THE POWER OF THREE

Renault is upgrading its range with the introduction of three new models.

The New Master boasts bold styling plus an entirely

redesigned interior to ensure exceptional comfort and storage capacity.

The range’s new 2.3dCi engine is available in a choice of

three power outputs, with an average fuel economy gain over the outgoing Master range of up to 4.1mpg, the front-wheel drive panel van versions of New Master return impressive NEDC combined cycle fuel consumption from 33mpg. The range has been extended to include a fourth length option, new 3.5 and 4.5 tonne versions with twin rear wheels and gives greater scope to tailor-made conversions. Joining New Master is the facelifted, third-phase Trafic. The dashboard has been redesigned to incorporate practical stowage spaces, while new equipment features normally associated with cars make life at the wheel even more comfortable. The final model joining the fold is the New Kangoo Van Maxi, an extended wheelbase version of the Kangoo Van, available with either two or five seats. It offers a load volume of up to 4.6m3 and a maximum load length at floor level of 2.90m.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has published its Road Safety Manifesto for the upcoming election, calling for urgent support from all political parties to promote driver and rider improvement on UK roads. Two of the more radical ideas in the IAM manifesto, which is designed to cut the unacceptable number of road deaths and injuries every year, are new incentives for chief constables to provide high profile policing, and tax breaks for companies offering their staff drivers further driver training. ‘A lifelong approach to learning, delivered through advanced training, is the single biggest factor that can benefit road safety,’ said Simon Best, IAM chief executive. ‘Human error is the biggest cause of crashes, so improving driver ability is the best way to deliver real reductions in road deaths and injuries: better driver behaviour must be the key road safety priority for the next 10 years,’ added Mr Best. The IAM called for government to play its part by providing simple incentives for those considering further training such as tax breaks and Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) discounts, with any cost to the exchequer being redeemed through savings from fewer crashes.

TYRED OUT

If a pressure washer nozzle is held too close to the sidewall of a tyre at high pressure, serious damage can result in as little as five seconds. That is according to the respected German safety and testing organisation, DEKRA. It says that whilst every

effort should be made to clean off dirt and grit, motorists may be causing unseen but terminal damage to their vehicle’s tyres by using pressure washers incorrectly. In a bid to limit the possibility of damage, mytyres.co.uk, is advising motorists of the dangers pressure washers can pose to the sidewall of a tyre.

Even tyres that appear to

be unaffected after being exposed to a pressure washer may have microscopic perforations, which can weaken the tyre sidewall and cause deflation, leading to a possible blow-out.

Other factors that may cause deterioration or damage to tyres include some soaps and detergents. These can remove protective chemicals that are embedded in the sidewall – they can sometimes be identified visually on the tyre as brown watermarks – resulting in a significant reduction in durability.

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a relationship with them,’ says Nick Hastings, creative director, krow. ‘So writing a comedy series about them felt like a good place to start.’

The sitcom follows the trials and tribulations of Pete – played by top comedy actor Phil Cornwell – the fleet manager of Lightfoot Logistics. Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40