Loading

20 MPH zones – What can we next expect from the government?

There has been much discussion about 20 mph zones across the country. Many communities have campaigned for the use of 20 mph zones, but blanket use of the speed limit can cause problems. The government is currently reviewing guidance.

There have been many incidents of blanket use of 20 mph zones in certain areas – this can cause problems for traffic flow, particularly at peak times. Safety of course must be everyone’s top priority, but the government is reviewing current practices to make sure 20 mph zones are used much more effectively to protect pedestrians and drivers whilst ensuring a steady flow of traffic.

Putting 20 mph limits on roads that do not accommodate other road users such as pedestrians can lead to an unnecessary disruption of traffic flow. With road use demand growing, efficiency and safety must work hand in hand.

Recent figures show that the number of deaths on Britain’s roads caused by accidents rose by 10% last year, so action clearly must be taken to ensure safety.

What do you think about 20 mph zones?

For more information about our CPC courses, call Rue on 07720 737482 or email rue@wetraincpc.co.uk. to find out more and book your place.

Book on our next CPC training week

As well as offering tailored CPC training for organisations, we also hold CPC training days – and we’ve got new training dates up and coming!

Based at our training offices in Milton Keynes, we’re offering drivers an opportunity to complete CPC training as part of their five year requirement.

We’re holding a full week’s worth of training, your full 35 hours, taking place week commencing Monday 30th October. Why not book your training in early and save the hassle and bother of trying to complete your training last minute before next year’s deadline?

You can book your training with us for £60 per module, inclusive of VAT and DVSA upload. We have limited spaces available on each course, so don’t delay – we book on a first come, first served basis!

What are you waiting for? Book your place today! Call Rue on 07720 737482 or email rue@wetraincpc.co.uk. to find out more and book your place.

What makes a good service station?

A good service station can make all the difference to a long distance drive. These hubs are vital if you drive for a living and the difference between a good service station and a bad one has an impact – but what makes a good service station?

Cleanliness is top priority. A clean toilet and clean facilities can make or break a service station and after a long trip on the road clean services are the least drivers expect. We’ve all got a horror story of a service station toilet…

Variety is a must. The best service stations are the ones that provide a variety or services and food outlets. This is particularly important if you’re driving a regular route and use the same service station regularly.

Accessibility is key. We can predict what time we’ll need a stop so service stations open 24/7 offering full service and flexibility around the clock make all the difference.

It’s got to be good value for money! Some service stations are certainly more reasonable than others when it comes to price… and affordable, decent services are exactly what drivers are looking for after a long time on the road.

Which service station is your favourite?

Call Rue on 07720 737482 or email rue@wetraincpc.co.uk. to find out more and book your CPC training.

Driving Abroad: What you need to know

As a long-distance driver, it’s likely you’ll be required to drive in other countries during your career. Seems simple enough but it’s vital you prepare properly for driving in a new country. Here’s our top tips.

Are you on the “right” side of the road? It may seem obvious but if you’re having to drive on a different side of the road than you are used to it can be strange and disorientating. Make sure you concentrate and take extra care when having to overtake other vehicles if appropriate.

What are the rules? Don’t assume that the country you’re driving in follows the same rules as the UK – make sure you’ve checked the relevant highway code and you’re aware of any differences in road rules that you should be aware of.

Plan in advance. Consider your journey in advance and have a think about any stops you might need to make in your route. Whether it be to re-fuel or take a rest, it’s best to plan your stops in advance when in an unfamiliar environment.

Call Rue on 07720 737482 or email rue@wetraincpc.co.uk. to find out more and book your CPC training.

BOOK ONTO OUR NEXT CPC TRAINING DATES TODAY

As well as offering tailored CPC training for organisations, we also hold CPC training days – and we’ve got a new training date for your diary coming up!

Based at our training offices in Milton Keynes, we’re offering drivers an opportunity to complete CPC training as part of their five year requirement.

Join us on Saturday 10th June and Saturday 15th July for our next training sessions – Get 14 hours of CPC training in now!

On Saturday 10th June we’ll be covering Health and Safety and Fuel Efficient Driving. On Saturday 15th July we’ll be covering Accident Procedures & Speed Awareness and Fitness to Drive. All very important!

You can book your training with us for £60 per module, inclusive of VAT and DVSA upload.

We have ten spaces available on each course, so don’t delay – we book on a first come, first served basis!

What are you waiting for? Book your place today! Call Rue on 07720 737482 or email rue@wetraincpc.co.uk. to find out more and book your place.

What makes a good haulage company?

A good haulage company for any business is vital. Consumer demand is on the rise and having a haulage company you can trust in is incredibly important. So what should you look for when sourcing a new haulage company?

Flexibility is key. More and more companies are having to work in a more agile way than ever before, and it’s crucial that your haulage provider can quickly adapt to the needs of your business and your customers.

Do they have the experience? Have they worked with organisations similar to yours before? In addition, do they hold of the legal paperwork required for the sort of haulage you are seeking? Do your research and thoroughly investigate any potential haulage partners to ensure they can meet your needs.

Is it cost effective? It may seem obvious but it’s worth interrogating the numbers to make sure a haulage company can provide you with a cost effective solution to haulage. What are the costs and benefits to hauling internally or externally? Make sure you’ve crunched those numbers!

Call Rue on 07720 737482 or email rue@wetraincpc.co.uk. to find out more and book your CPC training.

What are the benefits of electrical vehicles?

The logistics industry is changing; many companies are starting to invest in new vehicles run on electricity. Although petrol and diesel vehicles won’t be retired just yet, it’s clear that there are plenty of benefits to using electrical vehicles and companies need to start thinking about investing. So what are the benefits?

They’re cheaper to run. OK, so the initial cost of an electric vehicle may be higher than a standard vehicle, however electric vehicles are much cheaper to run, with electric costing nowhere near as much as petrol or diesel.

They’re cheaper to repair. Given the design of an electric vehicle, they have fewer moving parts and as such are easier and cheaper to maintain.

You’re saving the planet! One of the biggest benefits of electric vehicles is that they are friendly to the environment. OK so this may not seem important, but global warming is an issue and companies must take responsibility.

They’re safer. Given the fact that electric vehicles aren’t carrying traditional fuel, should there be a collision, there’s a reduced risk of fire or explosion.

Electric is the future!

Call Rue on 07720 737482 or email rue@wetraincpc.co.uk. to find out more and book your CPC training.

Keep cool whilst driving this summer

With the clocks going forward this week and with plenty of summer ahead of us, we should expect hot weather to start coming our way soon (hopefully). If you drive for a living, it’s important you stay safe and cool – here’s how.

Check your water levels! It’s important you take the time to inspect your vehicle before you set off, ensuring there’s plenty of coolant for your car to operate. Equally, take bottled water on all long journeys you make – if you’re stuck in traffic without water, it would be dangerous.

Invest in air con. Make sure your air conditioning system is well maintained and in working order. You should also try to get as much fresh are as you can.

Choose the motorway. Motorways are our busiest roads, meaning they are usually the most well maintained and accessible roads in extreme weather conditions. Additionally, motorway services can be invaluable when you need a break!

Check your tyres. In extreme weather, roads can become blisteringly hot and if your tyres aren’t in good condition there’s an even greater chance of a tyre blow out. Make sure your tyres are safe!

Book your place on our CPC training today! Call Rue on 07720 737482 or email rue@wetraincpc.co.uk. to find out more and book your place.

Be aware when driving on diversions

It’s a fact – every now and then major roads will need repairs and maintenance, and that means from time to time these key roads will need to be closed. It’s important to be aware when there are diversions – here’s why.

Arrival times will change. A diversion route is very likely to take longer than your normal route – be aware of this when you’re planning your journey. It’s worth checking for diversions where possible in advance of your journey so you can leave with extra time factored in if needed. You can check for any road closures on the National Highways website.

The route may be difficult to navigate. You may be taken through more rural roads or small villages usually meant for residential traffic, which can be problematic for HGVs. Take your time and be alert when driving in these sort of hazardous areas.

Your route may be different to others. Given the nature of the roads it may be there’s a separate diversion route for HGVs – keep an eye on road signage just to be sure.

Ignore your sat nav. Sat Navs are useless in road diversions – follow the road signs to ensure you get back on your journey in no time!

Book your place on our CPC training today! Call Rue on 07720 737482 or email rue@wetraincpc.co.uk. to find out more and book your place.

What are the benefits of repeated learning?

Drivers need to complete CPC training every 5 years – but why? What are the benefits of ongoing, repeated learning for drivers, some that may have been long distance and heavy good drivers for a number of years?

Better learning. Repetition of training means the brain can build enhanced neuron connections, making it easier for drivers to retain and recall their learning when required. Eventually tasks become second nature and your brain becomes more efficient at completing tasks.

Repetition is good for your confidence. Repeating training builds your confidence in knowing you’re completing tasks the right way, which in turn reduces stress. It’s important particularly in long distance and heavy goods driving to have confidence and low levels of stress.

Train your brain! Repeated training improves your focus and trains your brain in retaining information. It can even double your learning speed and combat forgetting.

In a fast paced working environment, whilst repeated training may seem unnecessary, it’s a vital way to make sure you’re effective and efficient in your work. What are you waiting for? Book your place on our CPC training today! Call Rue on 07720 737482 or email rue@wetraincpc.co.uk. to find out more and book your place.