This is a post from FORS regarding mobile phone a consultation to increase the penalty levels for mobile phone use when driving.

Mobile phone use whilst driving is a dangerous activity which increases the risk of a collision. The FORS standard requirement ‘D4 – in-vehicle technology’ specifies that fleet operators shall not cause or permit a driver to use a mobile phone or other distractive in-vehicle technology while driving. Any use of mobile phones and other in-vehicle technology (including hands-free equipment) must be properly managed, and where hands-free equipment is allowed, the terms of its use needs to be covered by a strict policy, ideally supported by a written procedure, risk assessment or method statement. For further information, please revisit the FORS standard.

In support of the Manifesto commitment, the Government published its road safety statement “Working Together to Build a Safer Road System” in December 2015. That statement sets out the context of road safety in Britain today and the overarching scope of road safety activity for the government.

This consultation seeks views on proposals announced in the Statement, namely increasing the penalty levels and Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for the offence of using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving.

This consultation considers proposals for increasing the FPN level from £100 to £150 for all drivers as well as increasing the penalty points from 3 to 4 for non-HGV drivers and from 3 to 6 points for those that hold a Large Goods Vehicle (HGV) licence who commit the offence whilst driving a HGV.

These proposals ultimately aim to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on the roads.

The deadline for responses was 15 March 2016.

Thought I’d post some pics of a small old trucks gathering. I must admit, I didn’t get chance to get any information as to who this small collective of enthusiasts we’re, as we needed catch a train! Horsted Keynes station is part of the Bluebell Railway which is a beautiful heritage train line running for 11 miles along the border between East and West Sussex. It uses steam trains which operate between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead. It’s the oldest steam-operated passenger railway in the world to operate a public service. The Society ran its first train on 7 August 1960, less than three years after the line was axed as part of Baron Beeching’s report, which essentially saw the loss of over a third of Britain’s lines.

The Station it’s self is just like going back in time in a real literal sense. It’s been restored under a 1930s theme with period newspaper headlines on boards by the buffet and adverts of the period.

Sorry back to the trucks. Well, suffice to say these are awesome examples of restored old trucks and hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I did.

Between 26-31 October, National Lorry Week will see events taking place which the RHA hopes will ensure that the industry and its drivers get the recognition for the essential service they provide.

National Lorry Week events include the RHA hosting a stand at the Conservative Party Conference, so they can hear first-hand about the vital role the industry plays in the British economy, but can also test their potential skills as professional driver on a HGV simulator.

Other National Lorry Week events include the promise of “high profile media figures” spending a shift working as a driver and a TV documentary starring British Touring Car Championship driver Tom Ingram training to drive an HGV.

RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said that 85% of everything eaten, worn and bought and used is moved, at some point, on the back of a UK-registered lorry.

“Without us, supermarket shelves would be empty, homes would not be built and manufacturing plants would grind to a halt. This industry employs more than 2.2 million people and, contributes £74.5bn to the UK economy,” he said.

“We have a huge impact on the lives of everyone in Britain but sometimes that positive contribution is overlooked.

“National Lorry Week will provide us with an opportunity to reach out to the public and politicians as never before to highlight our massive and positive contribution to daily life.”

Hauliers across the UK will also be asked to open their doors and invite the public to:

• Get up close and personal with a lorry;
• Meet operators and drivers to hear about the important role the road freight industry plays;
• Find out how the industry keeps them supplied with all the things their lives depend upon;
• Hear about careers in driving and other industry-related jobs;
• Listen to what the industry is doing to reduce its impact on the environment.

Burnett said: “The British public should be proud of its road haulage industry. It is an industry that works hard, is efficient and innovative. This industry is currently suffering from a massive driver shortage. What better way to highlight the industry as a great career opportunity?”

Next week’s Conservative Party Conference in Manchester (4-7 October) will see the Road Haulage Association (RHA) attending as an exhibitor.

As part of this initiative, the Road Haulage Association will be demonstrating the high skill levels required to drive a heavy goods vehicle and are inviting all visitors to the stand to take part in a ‘Top Gear’ style challenge on a truck simulator. The aim is to beat a score set by the industry’s very own ‘Stig’, Allan Marsh. Allan won the Microlise Driver of the Year competition against a field of over 90,000 drivers using Microlise’s own telematics software and we know that he’ll set a good score. But, as with all competitions, a high score can always be broken.

This forms part of National Lorry Week (26-31 October), aimed at boosting the profile of the industry with the general public, schoolchildren and college leavers, as well as those looking for a change of career.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to put their driving skills to the test. The Road Haulage Association will be on stand 53 in the conference exhibition area.