The FTA’s Van Excellence Scheme was initiated to help van operators improve their management
IF YOU haven’t heard of the Freight Transport Association (FTA) Van Excellence programme then it’s about time you did in our opinion!
VOSA has made it clear that it’s identified non-compliant van operators and that they will be making targeted stops
Van Excellence was launched a couple of years ago as a way of improving the standard of van management in general, after it was hinted in Government circles that unless van operators started obeying the rules a little more, they were likely to face swingeing new legislation.
We are talking here about such areas as maintenance (50% of vans fail their MOT test at the first try at present), overloading (75% of vans stopped by VOSA last year were found to be overweight) and drivers spending excess time behind the wheel, thus risking more accidents through tiredness.
The FTA has been urging fleets to sign up for the scheme (a call we wholeheartedly agree with) and so far it has all been a roaring success with a series of conferences being held around the country.
If running a better van fleet sounds of interest but you haven’t yet signed up, then here’s your chance to put things right.
The FTA has announced two more conferences – Tuesday 8 April (Elstree, London) and Thursday 10 April (Manchester).
Mark Cartwright, FTA head of vans and logistic buyer relations, said: “VOSA has made it clear that it’s identified non-compliant van operators and that they will be making targeted stops.
“We all know that keeping vans within legal weight limits can be a challenge for many operators, particularly those using vans as mobile toolboxes, and it is vitally important that we focus load security and overloading at the Van Excellence conferences to ensure best practice is identified for all.”
Key conference sessions include:
• Cost management – the hidden costs of operation
• In-cab distractions – how to reduce risk
• Lowering your carbon footprint – operator case study
• Technology developments – telematics and driver behaviour
The conferences are sponsored by Van Excellence industry partners ATS Euromaster, BT Fleet, Hertz Van Rental, Lex Autolease and TomTom Business Solutions, who will be on hand at each seminar to talk more with delegates about their role with Van Excellence.
Places booked before 8 February 2014, are available at a special early bird rate of £200 + VAT per delegate.
Click here for further information or to book a place.
And click here for more on how the Van Excellence Scheme could benefit you.
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