Care workers and community drivers benefit from red tape cut
After we highlighted the Department for Transport’s pledge to cut red tape in a previous blog post, we were interested to see a further announcement from transport minister Norman Baker which looks set to continue this trend.
His statement, released on the government news distribution service offered new guidelines to end confusion created by minicab laws that were implemented in 2006. Under these laws many drivers of patient transport services and carers were being classified as minicab drivers, and as a result had to register as such before the council could allow them to provide lifts.
Norman Baker said; “Clearly carers getting people to the doctor are not minicab drivers. I hope that by publishing this new guidance today these people will be able to get on with their vital activities, without the hassle or cost of getting a minicab licence.”
The government guidelines outline that the following groups should be exempt from having to license their vehicle:
Private ambulances, including emergency vehicles and vehicles which operate as part of a formal patient transport service;
Volunteers who share their car or provide lifts as part of their voluntary duties;
Care and support worker services, including those who care for adults in their own homes, in community settings or in residential or nursing care homes;
Childminders who carry children as passengers as part of their duties;
Rental car companies and garages offering ‘courtesy lift’ services for customers, for example whilst their car is in for repair.
For public sector fleet operators, the continued government focus on cutting the red tape associated with motoring should come as a welcome process, and we look forward to further developments as a result of this initiative in the coming months.
Drivers Remain Key to Accident Prevention
With around 10% of UK traffic being made up of company cars, and approximately 1 in 3 involved in an accident annually, increased training could help to lower these statistics further and help to re-define business drivers as the safest and greenest drivers on the roads today.
Gridlock Britain
Council Reclassifies Pot-Holes to Cut Costs
The Telegraph goes on to report that there are now estimated to be 10 potholes for every mile of road, which totals around 1.6 million across England.
LeasePlan UK’s CEO, David Brennan, has been vocal in advocating greater investment in Britain’s roads. Following the budgetary allocation of an additional £100 million for pothole repair in March, he commented this was likely to be nothing more than a “drop in the ocean.”
The Car Is Still King
The overriding importance of the car over other modes of transport to keeping Britain moving is underlined by recent ONS data showing that more than three in four Britons outside London go to work by car. The Times (£) reports that car use by commuters is 76 per cent in the rest of the UK but only 35 per cent in the capital. Outside London 6 per cent go to work by bus and a mere 2 per cent by train, while in London the figures are 12 per cent and 20 per cent respectively. 18 per cent use the Tube.
The figures are from the back end of 2009 when the country was in the depth of recession but the car is undoubtedly still king when it comes to getting Britain to and from work. If you don’t live in an urban hub or within easy reach of practical public transport, the simple truth is that the car is the best way to get to work.
As well as taking measures to encourage greater use of public transport, policy chiefs should be freeing up the roads to get the economy moving as a priority.
Council Reclassifies Pot-Holes to Cut Costs
Lambeth council in London recently announced that potholes under 40mm in depth will no longer be filled in, according to a report in The Telegraph. This marks a significant shift, as previously holes as shallow as 25mm were classed as potholes requiring action. The new measure is designed to cut costs, and coincides with parliamentary research that suggested the cost of repairing every pothole on Britain’s roads has soared to over £13 billion.
Repair costs have been exacerbated by last winter’s record low temperatures which contributed to the overall decay of road surfaces around the UK. The worst roads for potholes in the UK have been revealed, with Northumberland’s B6343 and Holme’s Fieldhead Lane in West Yorkshire achieving the dubious honour.
The Telegraph goes on to report that there are now estimated to be 10 potholes for every mile of road, which totals around 1.6 million across England.
This is an increasing concern to business drivers, who are likely to come across hundreds of potholes in their daily travel. If more councils follow Lambeth’s example in restricting repairs, fleet managers may see an increase in the amount of damage done to vehicles by these deeper holes.
LeasePlan UK’s CEO, David Brennan, has been vocal in advocating greater investment in Britain’s roads. Following the budgetary allocation of an additional £100 million for pothole repair in March, he commented this was likely to be nothing more than a “drop in the ocean.”
Lasers to spark a more efficient future?
The spark plug has been a crucial part of the internal combustion engine since the first days of motorised transport, and as a component it has not changed hugely in around 150 years.
However, BBC reporting has suggested that the introduction of lasers to this part of an engine could increase the overall efficiency of the vehicle. By using lasers, teams of researchers from Japan and Romania have shown that it is possible to ignite a higher percentage of the fuel exposed to this next-generation ‘spark plug’, immediately increasing engine efficiency.
Although this technology is not yet commercially available, it is another indicator of how researchers are looking for new and innovative ways to increase the efficiency of traditional-fuel vehicles in the face of rising fuel costs. It can be hoped that such developments will contribute to a new generation of cleaner vehicles as manufacturers work towards a truly zero-emissions solution to the issue of business transport.
Department for Transport Pledges to Cut Red Tape
The Department for Transport (DfT) has pledged to do away with needless regulations on Britain’s roads as part of the Government’s cross department Red Tape Challenge.
It is asking for public feedback on 400 pieces of Whitehall road transport regulations as it looks to cut unnecessary bureaucracy. Through a purpose-built website, the ‘Red Tape Challenge’ encourages local authorities, businesses and private motorists to join the debate on these contentious measures.
Roads Minister, Mike Penning said, “By getting government off people’s backs we can free businesses to compete, create jobs and unleash a private sector-led recovery.”
The current government has expressed a reasonably driver-friendly attitude and business drivers are sure to welcome any reduction in ‘red tape’ that frees up their time for running their business, rather than administrating their fleet. There are two sections that are most likely to be of interest to fleet managers and drivers; namely the ‘vehicle safety and standards’ and ‘highways’ elements of the debate.
The government has taken a first step in seeking drivers’ views on the legislation they face on a day-to-day basis, and drivers will no doubt watch with interest as the coming months will reveal whether any affirmative action arises
‘Vehicle To Grid’: Payback for Electric Car Drivers
While this is a technology very much in its infancy, the University of Delaware is leading research into the project and the first legislative steps towards the provision of a V2G system have already been taken in that state.
Fleet managers should take note, as there is the potential for their car parks, using this technology, to become giant battery cells, with a significant revenue stream attached to their use. Indeed, if this technology becomes commonplace, the financial remuneration could offer a further incentive for business drivers to swap petrol-driven vehicles for an electric alternative.
Scotland Leads the Charge in Electric Vehicle Race
LeasePlan is delighted to announce that Dumfries and Galloway Council has become the first council in the UK to add fully electric Nissan Leaf vehicles to its fleet, following the delivery of four of the innovative cars on Wednesday 20th April. This follows the delivery of an electric sweeper on Thursday 10th February.
The vehicles are provided by Automotive Leasing, our specialist public sector division and this latest contract forms part of a longstanding relationship between the Council and AL. The electric vehicles will be added to the council’s existing 100 car fleet and will be made available for use by employees. NHS staff will also be able to use two of the vehicles, which are based at Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary.
The Council has installed dedicated charging points for the vehicles
We are looking forward to the council’s feedback on using these revolutionary vehicles and we will continue to post updates on their progress, as well as other orders that we are working to secure round the UK.
