For many years Sat Nav has had it’s fair share of criticism when HGVs and other large road going vehicles rely on them for directions.

Low bridges, narrow lanes, weight restrictions and housing estates have stranded many a HGV or resulted in fines for drivers.

You may or may not know that a solution has existed in the sat nav world for over five years in the guise of dedicated HGV specific Sat Nav systems – but how are they different?

Firstly, HGV Sat Nav systems allow you to enter your exact vehicle dimensions into the memory of the device, including height, weight, width, weight and even weight per axle and load type on some.

Then, using unique algorithms, your vehicle dimensions are taken into account when calculating your route. Low bridges, weight restrictions and other hazards are avoided to leave you with a trouble free, efficient route.

This saves drivers time and stress in the planning of safe routes combining the convenience of sat nav with the detailed knowledge of the road network and restrictions.

Drivers can search for industrial estates, truck stops, HGV fuel stations and other points of interest that regular sat navs simply wouldn’t offer.

There are a number of options currently on the market, which offer free lifetime map updates. View the entire range here.

It can be dangerous driving a lorry through built up areas. Not just because of the cars, Heavy Good Vehicles (HGVs) and buses, but cyclists too.

Surprisingly, HGVs are involved in about 50% of cyclist deaths, even though they only make up about 5% of traffic.

London is a particular focus of HGV-cyclist safety. A cross party report found that, although the number of cycling trips grew 16% between 2006 and 2011, the number of injuries climbed by half in that period.

Both cyclists and lorry drivers should be doing their bit to reduce the chances of these incidents happening.

While cyclists need to know where the HGVs numerous blind spots are, there are many things the drivers can do to maximise their awareness…

Fit your vehicle with safety equipment

You can prevent large vehicles from hitting cyclists by fitting a proximity sensor and warning alarm.

As your vehicle turns, the sensor will detect obstacles alongside the vehicle and emit an audible warning to warn them.

You can also fit an LED light board on the side of your vehicle to attract cyclists’ attention.

Equally importantly, consider fitting side guards. Government research has revealed that vehicles without side guards are involved in the most fatal collisions with cyclists.

Driving safely

- Always leave enough room for cyclists at junctions.
- Keep a keen look out for cyclists, especially on your left.
- Ensure it is safe to overtake and give them ample space when you do.
- Bear the size of a HGV compared to a cyclist in mind.
- Always look out for cyclists when you open your door.
- Even when you are stationary – watch out! Cyclists often weave through traffic.
- Don’t indicate at the last minute! Make sure it stays on even when turning left.
- Have lots of mirrors fitted, includes a Fresnel lens, which will increase your left hand side vision.
- Fit a proximity sensor and a side guard if you don’t have them already. This dramatically increases your awareness.
- Get quality driver training by joining the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS).

For more information on how you can improve your HGV safety and awareness, speak to our friends at Vision Techniques by clicking here.

You may think this isn’t the nicest blog post in the world considering that it shows a head on collision between two HGV’s but stay with us here… This remarkable incident sees one truck lose control and veers across the centre of the road into another oncoming truck with spectacular consequences.

All this is being filmed by a following vehicle and whilst i could try and explain what happens, you’re best off just watching and deciding for yourself. Don’t worry, nobody gets hurt!

The Snooper S5000 Truckmate Pro offers truck friendly satellite navigation. In this video, we show you how to enter a postcode for navigation;

Here in our series of “how to” demo videos, we talk you through setting up your S5000 Truckmate with vehicle dimensions:

Source: www.hgvuk.com
May 22, 2012

The Freight Transport Association has voiced disappointment on behalf of its members at the news of the rise in charges to users of the Dartford River Crossing.

Following the announcement from Under Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning, who revealed the increases as part of the ‘plans to tackle congestion and to deliver future improvement at the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing’, the association was quick to back its members in saying that it considers additional costs at the tolls to be unacceptable to the freight industry.

The first rise in costs to be implemented will be in October 2012 when the toll charge for a heavy goods vehicle will jump to £5.00 per crossing, a significant increase from the present £3.70, with the second hike planned for 2014, resulting in a cost of £6.00 each way.

Operators who use the popular ‘Dart-Tag’ will not escape the price jump either, seeing that cost rising from £3.20 to £4.33 come October this year.

Malcolm Bingham, FTA Head of Road Network Management Policy said: “We are disappointed, as we feel that the government has not taken any notice of us at all. We had asked them to peg the Dart-Tag fee.

“Any toll increase is damaging to our members, but we welcome the process of bringing in free flow tolling.”

In response to the Department for Transport consultation on the proposals to revise the road user charging regime, FTA had voiced its concern at the planned rises, pointing out that ‘the Dartford crossing is an essential piece of infrastructure, vital to the effectiveness of the logistics industry for whom no efficient alternative route exists. Current levels of congestion – which we believe to a large extent result from the existing charging systems – impose significant costs on the industry and lead to increased emissions.’

FTA members have expressed deep concerns regarding the proposed increase in the charges for good vehicles. Quite predictably the new charges will increase costs for those that use the crossing by an appreciable amount and the current alternative crossing options available to fleet operators are expensive both in time and mileage.

In its consultation response, FTA added: ‘Goods vehicles do not have the flexibility that many motorists have to alter journey times and/or routes and more often than not freight journeys cannot be made in another way.’

FTA members maintain that the charging plazas themselves cause the majority of the congestion at the crossing. According to FTA figures, at present it already costs an estimated £1 per minute per hgv to queue and pay at the Dartford tolls.

It had been hoped that plans to introduce a ‘free flowing system’ would be introduced as opposed to toll increases, and these were welcomed by the association. The technological system (similar to some already being used across Europe and within the UK), was seen as the appropriate way forward to reduce a good deal of administration cost for industry in dealing with tolls, charges and queues at the crossing.

Source: thisiskent.com
Date:     Tuesday May 15th 2012

A NEWLY qualified lorry driver has proven that the haulage business is not just a man’s game after passing her HGV test first time at just 22. Lou Bowden from Ramsgate wowed family and friends after breezing through the exam after just five hours of tuition.

She says her choice of profession is partly inspired by her boyfriend Anthony Elson who made headlines last year after he aced the same exam at just 18.

She said: “I am feeling well pleased with myself. Learning to drive a lorry wasn’t bad as I thought it would be, you just have to be more careful. I found I got used to it quickly.”

The test, which Lou had to go to Essex for, had come in two parts, a “class two” test for rigid vehicles following by an advanced “class one” test for articulated lorries.

Lou said: “I put a bit of pressure on myself to pass first time. During the first test I was nervous but went it came to round to the second part it was worse – I was even more nervous”

Instructor John Dawson from Flair Training in Braintree, said: “It is a unique achievement. The test is in two parts and we do have quite a few women taking the first part, mostly so they can drive a horse box.

“Very few, if any, go on to do their class one.

“Lou was so exceptional in her class two test that it only took a couple of day to prepare her for her class one.”

Lou was working in sales for an energy company when she was made redundant last year.

She said: “Anthony gave me the idea to go for the test and I thought, ‘if he can do it so can I’. I only really decided to do it before Christmas.

“Some people might think I am crazy for doing it but most people I know are proper chuffed for me and think it is really good.

My dad loves the idea and mum still can’t believe I am allowed to drive something so big.”

Crediting Anthony for helping her pass first time, she said: “I am not sure if I would have done so well if it wasn’t him teaching me about lorry driving and helping me prepare for the test. He has been very, very supportive.”

John said: “She is easily the best class one pass we have had so far this year among men and women. As a driver she will be a major asset for any company that hires her. If I could, I would take her on myself, but you have to be driving for three years before you teach.”

Lou is now aiming get her first job which could see her driving lorry not just in the UK but on the continent.

She said: “I can’t wait to get started.”

Sat Nav Warehouse Comment: Great news there. Lou may benefit from what a lot of new HGV drivers are buying now to aid them in their new job and that’s a Lorry Sat Nav such as the Snooper Truckmate or TomTom Pro range of GPS systems.