Fleets demand better data while FTA warns the logistics sector is unprepared for 2012 Olympics and Brake reports drink driving is on the up. This and much more…
Welcome to the latest news round-up of the best fleet related stories of the past ten days. A thirst for knowledge seems to be on the agenda with both the FTA and the fleet supplier industry in general, whilst more worryingly it has been reported that drink driving has increased from last year.
We start with news that a recent survey conducted by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has shown an alarming number of London logistic providers are struggling to prepare for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics due to government agencies being reticent to pass on necessary information regarding specific road restrictions. The results showed as many as a third of the participating providers admitting to having no idea how the Olympic Route Network or Games Lanes are to operate during the three month period which, as the FTA have pointed out, will prove testing for commercial vehicle operators who will effectively have more to deliver than normal in a greatly reduced time frame.
“The logistics sector can’t rise to the challenge unless it knows the parameters within which it is supposed to operate. For the Olympics to be remembered for all the right reasons, we would like this information to be made available well before the end of the year, the time to which the Transport for London and the Olympic Delivery Authority seem to be working towards,” comments Natalie Chapman, FTA’s Head of Policy for London.
The FTA recommends that commercial vehicle operators work with its customers to identify and plan in advance for any possible problem areas by:
- Identifying customers based directly on or nearby to the Olympic Route Network;
- Working with customers to identify demand levels;
- Reviewing annual leave policy for summer 2012; although there are those sectors for whom the Olympic period will feel like a three-month Christmas, it will also coincide with school holidays. It is therefore important to develop a clear and fair policy in advance.
–
A tough economy and the emergence of tailored research has led to the demands made on fleet data providers becoming more exacting. MIB Data Solutions has reported that fleet suppliers purchasing sales and marketing databases cannot afford to waste time or money on poorly researched or irrelevant data. They also report that regular updates are also vitally important to an industry under increasing pressure to perform.
"Fleet suppliers of all kinds, from leasing companies to fuel card operators, are demanding data that is progressively more accurate. Fleet suppliers having increasingly specific ideas about which type of customer they are courting with a specific campaign and they want the data they buy to match," comments Nick Boddington, Managing Director of MIB.
The evolving requirements of fleet suppliers has seen an increase in commissioned data research, seen by MIB to be an investment, although off-the-shelf databases are still in demand.
–
Now to matters of safety and the worrying news that the percentage of drivers breath-tested by the police during the summer drink-drive campaign and found to be over the limit in has increased by 15% compared to the same period last year. It also showed that whilst the number of breath-tests carried out fell by 12% the drug drive tests increased by 30% compared to June 2010.
“It is worrying that younger drivers continue to drink and drive and we will be redoubling our efforts to address this unacceptable behaviour. We have increased the number of tests we conducted to detect people driving under the influence of drugs and this is an area we are working with the Government to improve our capabilities through reformed legislation and procedures,” commented Chief Constable Phil Gormley, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) lead on roads policing.
Brake’s reaction to these statistics came via Ellen Booth, Brake senior campaigns officer, who said: “These statistics show that a shocking number of drivers are wilfully taking huge risks with their lives and the lives of others. Brake is calling on the Government to make traffic policing a first-tier policing priority, and ensure we have more traffic police carrying out more drink and drug driving tests. We also need the Government to act swiftly to bring in a roadside screening device for drug driving to tackle this deadly menace, and a zero tolerance drink drive limit, to send out the clear message that it’s none for the road. Our message to drivers is that drink and drug driving is an abhorrent crime that wrecks lives every day, so don’t kid yourself you can get away with it. Make a personal commitment to never get behind the wheel after taking drugs or drinking even a small amount of alcohol.”
Do you agree? Would you welcome a change in the law to show a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to alcohol and stimulant use when driving or do you possibly believe they are two separate issues and should be treated as such? Do please share your views with us.
–
Congratulations are in order to GE Capital, Fleet Services, who have become the first leasing company to win Van Excellence accreditation, operated and audited by the FTA, for light commercial operations.
Introduced a little over a year ago, Van Excellence takes into account key operating areas such as driver behaviour, vehicle safety and maintenance, environmental impact and risk assessment, and is supported by van manufacturers such as Mercedes, Ford and Nissan.
"We are delighted to be the first leasing company to achieve the Van Excellence standard. This has proved a very useful exercise as we constantly re-examine our light commercial vehicle operations from top to bottom to ensure continuous improvement. To have done this with the FTA’s expert guidance and input has been invaluable. Van Excellence also gives assurance to existing and potential customers that we meet the highest industry standards when it comes to our van fleet," commented Eddie Parker, LCV Consultant at GE Capital, Fleet Services.
–
And finally… Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions celebrated 25 years in fleet leasing by inviting staff and their families to enjoy a Family Fun Day at Newbury Racecourse with full hospitality of afternoon tea, food, drink and nominal racing bets all provided for by the company.
“It’s a great pleasure to offer our staff and their families a fun day of celebrations at one of Newbury’s most famous locations. We really appreciate the hard work and effort they commit to the business and believe they are a testament to our longevity as a company. We’re very much looking forward to another 25 years!” commented Simon Oliphant, CEO at Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions.
Customers will also be thanked for their loyalty with an invitation to a separate event held at Newbury Racecourse later in the year.
–
And with talk of a party News Round-up is off to get it’s glad rags on and so leaves you for another week. We hope you have found the above news stories thought provoking and interesting enough for you share your views by using the comments box below. Until next week…
See also:
No comments yet
