The DVSA is working in partnership with the transport industry to encourage van drivers and van fleet operators to improve the standard to which they maintain their vehicles.
Through a series of videos and published guidance, the DVSA is setting out to highlight the risks associated with poor maintenance and overloading.
In an article for the British Chambers of Commerce, Sandra Brandon, LGV trade engagement manager at the DVSA, said that improving maintenance would help promote “a reputation for reliability and increasing road safety” within the industry.
In 2014/15 there were more than 3.5m light goods vehicles registered in Great Britain, travelling an estimated 45.5 billion miles and DfT forecasts show that this figure will continue to rise in the coming year.
Sandra Brandon writes that “operating a poorly maintained van could result in an accident” and that making sure these vehicles are regularly serviced “will help goods and services reach their destination”.
The videos include information on a routine walk around check, highlighting mechanical areas of concern, and essential information on weight limits and driving hours.
The walk around checklist contains an instructional diagram of the daily routine checks a van driver should carry out before using their vehicle, noting that commonly identified defects are with tyres, lights and reflectors, suspension, steering and transmission.
Some good information there, but in reality there will be very few Roads Policing Officers who will be available to spot an overweight van and then take it to a weighbridge.
David, Suffolk
0