Driver CPC for Lorry Drivers Takes Effect from 10th September 2009

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence for lorry drivers comes into effect from 10th September.

Driver CPC is a qualification, which lorry drivers will need to have with aims to:

• improve road safety
• recognise and accredit skills for professional lorry drivers
• to encourage drivers to continually update their skills and knowledge
• raise the status of bus, coach and lorry drivers and promote driving as a career.

Bus and coach drivers are also required to have this qualification; however their requirement came into force in September last year.

If you already hold a lorry driving licence on the start dates, you will have 'acquired rights' for the next 5 years and will not need to hold a CPC during that time.

If you wish to carry on driving after those 5 years, you will have to undertake 'periodic training', which consist of 35 hours training every 5 years in order to retain your Driver CPC.

However, new drivers who do not already hold a lorry driving licence on the start date will be required to undertake an initial Driver CPC test before being able to drive professionally. The initial Driver CPC test will consist of a theory test and a practical test.

Again, in order to retain the Driver CPC, drivers will need to complete 35 hours of 'periodic training'. If you fail to complete the training and continue to drive professionally beyond the end date of your CPC, you could face legal charges.

For more information view the DSA's Driver Certificate of Professional Competence Booklet.

Road Deaths at Record Low, But Safety Still Needs Improving

The Department for Transport (DfT) has recently announced that the number of people killed in road accidents in Britain in 2008 is the lowest since records began. A total of 2,538 people died on the roads last year - which is a drop of 14 per cent from the previous year's total, which was the previous record low (2946 deaths).

The number of pedestrian deaths fell below 600 for the first time to 572, while there were also decreases in the numbers of cyclists, motorcycle users, and children.

The Government announced a new road safety strategy in 2000 in which it aims to:

• reduce casualties by 2010, including a 40-per-cent reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads;
• 50-per-cent reduction in the number of children killed or seriously injured.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) say that the 2008 figures represent a great achievement, but the aim to make Britain number one in the world for road safety by 2020 - as stated in the Government's proposed road safety strategy published in April this year – will be a struggle. Currently the country is sixth in the world for road safety.

The statistics do not include a breakdown of fatalities involving at-work drivers, however the DfT has previously estimated that every week, 200 road deaths and serious injuries involve someone at work. With approximately three million company cars on the roads, roughly one in three will be involved in an accident each year. Road accidents which are work-related account for between 800 and 1000 deaths a year, making them the biggest cause of work-related accidental death, the Department has said.

Read the DfT's summary of statistics.

FTA Anticipates Improved Road Safety as VOSA Roadside Checks "Go Live"

The Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA) announced last week, that from 28th May 2009, they will have the authority to issue fixed penalties for offences committed by drivers at the time of road enforcement checks.

It is hoped that the extension of search powers to the VOSA examiners will improve the level of road safety.

The fixed penalties will be graduated for drivers' hours and overloading offences, depending on the seriousness of the breach.

Joan Williams, the head of road freight and enforcement policy at Freight Transport Association (FTA) said: "Drivers will be more accountable for the roadworthiness of their vehicles and could face fixed penalties if they fail to conduct their daily walk round checks properly."

"Crucially, foreign drivers who fail to comply with the rules will not be able to slip through the cracks anymore as any driver issued with a fixed penalty who cannot provide a suitable UK address will be required to pay a deposit at the roadside and if necessary the vehicle will be immobilised until the deposit is paid."

Here is a summary of the introduction of graduated fixed penalties and deposits from VOSA:

• The legislation came into force on 1st April 2009, with a 'go live' date of 28th May 2009
• As of 28th May 2009 VOSA officers can issue fixed penalties for offences committed by drivers at the time of roadside enforcement checks
• If a driver is unable to provide an acceptable UK address, they will be asked to pay an on the spot deposit equal to the likely penalty.
• VOSA will have the authority to immobilise prohibited vehicles in certain circumstances, as well as vehicles where drivers have been unable to pay a required deposit.
• Operator licence holders will be required to notify the Traffic Commissioner of fixed penalties issued to their drivers and OCRS scores will also be also affected
• A driver offence record of fixed penalties and court action will be maintained by VOSA. This information will be used by VOSA to consider any further action, such as a warning letter, further investigation or referral to a Traffic Commissioner who may consider taking action against the driver’s vocational entitlement.

Pressure to Keep Job 'Could Damage Road Safety Practices'

Employers looking to cut costs by reducing the number of overnight stays their drivers are allowed could be prosecuted if their employees are involved in an accident, it has been stated.

Drivers themselves could also be adding to the risk of increased fatigue when behind the wheel because of the economic pressure to safeguard their job, according to Aviva.

Commercial motor technical manager at Norwich Union Mike Smith said individuals may also volunteer to drive further or take on extra tasks because of the need to stay in their job.

Mr Smith stated: "It is important for an employer or fleet manager to carefully consider whether a journey is business-critical and where possible make use of telephone or video conferencing."
Journeys should also be carefully planned and breaks should be included in this.

Half of business managers do not realise that a road safety policy has to be in place, a recent survey by Fleet Directory showed.