Industry News

Driver roadside facilities

Highways Agency publish Truckstop guide…….

The Highways Agency has published a new directory for commercial vehicle drivers listing 102 official truckstops across the country. The guide, which is available free, has directions to each truckstop, details of opening times, driver and vehicle facilities and security features.

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Highway Code

FTA calls for commercial vehicle section.

The FTA has called for the next edition of the Highway Code to contain a special section dealing with commercial vehicles, similar to the current sections dedicated to pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. The proposal was made of part of its submission to the Driving Standards Agency review of the Highway Code, pending the publication of a new Code next year.

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Roadside Enforcement

VOSA rolls out hand held database interrogation devices for enforcement staff

VOSA has begun the roll-out of Mobile Compliance Devices (MCD) to roadside enforcement officers to improve intelligence and risk based evaluation of vehicles and operators.

The device can automatically search and extract information from VOSA databases including operator and vehicle details, technical records, annual test expiry date, prohibition notices in force at the time of the stop, and also details of vehicles on international journeys from previous encounters.

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New VOSA Fixed Penalties

New powers have now been introduced that allow VOSA (the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) to issue fixed penalties for a range of offences. The new legislation also introduces graduated penalties for drivers' hours and record-keeping breaches. The rules are targeted towards drivers rather than transport operators.

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Digital Tachographs

The EU wanted to take advantage of technology now available in order to ensure the security of the recording of the driver’s duty periods. The aim is that the new system is less vulnerable to illegal acts by users to distort the data. The new system will also allow for easier and better control of drivers’ hours by operators and the enforcement authorities.

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Digital Tachographs 2

Digital Tachograph driver and company card application packs are now available from the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) - please call 0870 8501074.

Workshop card application forms are now available from VOSA - please call 01792 454336.

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DRIVER CPC: DSA PUBLISHES GUIDE FOR TRAINING PROVIDERS

The Driving Standard’s Agency (DSA) has published a guide giving details of periodic training needed for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) and what training providers need to do in order to get centre approval and course approval to deliver this training. Key areas covered in the guide include...

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ILLEGAL MOBILE PHONE USE: TOUGHER PENALTIES FROM 27 FEB

Last week the Government announced that the penalties for the illegal use of mobile phones whilst driving will be increased from 27 February 2007.

The new sections of the Road Traffic Act and Road Traffic Offenders Act increases the penalty to include three penalty points for...

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