The charge for improved standards is being led by the Road Haulage Association (RHA), which launched a petition calling on the government to pave the way for the better rest facilities that the nation’s drivers rightly deserve.
It’s an admirable aim, and one we here at Dawsongroup truck and trailer endorse wholeheartedly. We urge operators and as many people as possible to add their voices to the campaign and sign the petition – it's quick and easy.
The campaign calls for three key things:
- Additional funding to improve and increase the number of safe and secure facilities and spaces. Interestingly, the government has subsequently announced a package of £20m of funding for better roadside facilities.
- Amended planning guidance to encourage local authorities to approve plans for new facilities.
- The launch of a taskforce to review facilities and work with the industry on long-term solutions.
At the same time, there are other ways – some possibly more immediate - to bring hardworking drivers added comfort in their all-too-often tough working days.
Far too many still labour away in old trucks with inadequate comfort and have to suffer increasing mechanical failures.
These not only cost the drivers precious time on the road, but threaten the reputation of the operator, put safety at risk and can directly impact on delivery schedules and customer confidence. It’s a short journey from there to lost drivers – who move on to jobs with better conditions - and also lost contracts.
For those operators who replace their assets through purchasing, the impact on working capital – maybe even the need for loans – has often been a barrier to refreshing aging vehicles.
At Dawsongroup, however, with our modern and well-maintained fleet, we’re ideally placed to offer solutions to all these problems as well as provide drivers with high in-cab standards and the reassurance of reliable vehicles.
Run good trucks
The better the trucks you run, the more able you are to attract and retain good drivers. The vehicles we offer are either brand-new or just a few years old - that’s a given.
What many people overlook, however is that, with our leasing and contract hire options, they can be on the road with a minimal financial outlay compared to outright purchase, and that includes full maintenance repair, inspections, tax and tyres.
With usership rather than ownership, there’s no large up-front capital investment, so you can use the money you would have spent on buying trucks to invest in business growth or making your processes more efficient and more profitable.
Then, once the trucks come to the end of their contract life, they can be seamlessly replaced with vehicles that meet the new demands on your business.
So, you get smaller budgetable costs, known in advance, 24/7 helpline assistance and one of the biggest support networks in the UK.
Create good drivers
Drivers need to be cared for and developed. Good drivers deliver better fuel economy, have fewer accidents, generate lower maintenance and repair issues and produce greater customer satisfaction.
Here at Dawsongroup truck and trailer, we offer both driver training and a handover programme to any customer who acquires a vehicle from us.
These include familiarisation of the vehicle’s controls and functions, daily checks and top-up points.
Our training is designed to meet each operator’s specific requirements, at a location best-suited to their business.
It offers a number of benefits, helping to optimise drivers’ working conditions by:
- Minimising mechanical wear and tear, maintenance costs and downtime
- Improving fuel efficiency
- Reducing fatigue, stress and accidents
- Preventing damage to goods in transit
- Reducing CO2 and NOx emissions as well as noise pollution
- Improving load sympathy and product familiarisation
- Lowering insurance premiums
- Improving road safety, a professional image and staff wellbeing
- Meeting Health & Safety legislation
In a world where so many things are a costly challenge, we offer ways to challenge your costs and provide your drivers with better conditions and reliable kit!
So, I encourage you to do two things:
Spend the minute it takes to sign the RHA petition and add your voice to the campaign for better driver facilities.
Discuss your requirements with one of our team now – it could help you run your business more efficiently and help retain one of your most valuable resources – your drivers!