A Half Dozen Things Podcast by Pete Rushmer

Amazing Tech for your Fleet Safety with Flare and Road Radar | AHDT S2#41

In this episode of A Half Dozen Things, Ep 95; Amazing Tech for your Fleet Safety with Flare and Road Radar. I speak to Kirk Ryan and James Duffy from K-Safe.

K-Safe founded the Flare App, this alerts loved ones, family members or colleagues to a potential incident, accident where by you fall, hurt yourself and need medical attention.

Then Road Radar takes the tech one step further. This enables drivers, using the pre existing in-vehicle systems to use Flare to notify drivers of Vulnerable Road Users that are coming up on their journey.

Almost like, eyes in the back of your head and being able to see around corners! Clever stuff, if you want to find out more or trail Road Radar or Flare, please use these links https://activate.flaresafety.com/flare-referral/Flagship and mention the podcast when you do speak to K-Safe.

RUSHcast; Predictions for Fleet Operators in 2022 | AHDT S2#40

2022 promises to be a challenging year for all Fleet Operators in the UK, in this RUSHcast I discuss the predictions for fleet operators, from myself and some of my colleagues.

The suggestions include; James and Kirk @ RoadRadar & Flare;

1. Vehicles will become ‘smarter’ in order to increase safety and reduce ongoing costs associated with insurance or incidents. It would be great to understand the loss of a vehicle or driver today vs just a few years ago and the impact to the business.

2. Operational costs will continue to increase – fuel, driver demand, etc will continue to put a squeeze on fleet operators

Flagship's Compliance Guy; Jamie B

LST’s to be given the go ahead- Longer Semi Trailer trailers have been on trial for the last 9 years. The trial involves longer semi-trailers of 14.6 metres and 15.65 metres in length (17.5 metres and 18.55 metres total vehicle lengths respectively)

More focus on alternative fuels and electrification. Hydrogen internal combustion engines could also become the solution for longer haul tractors and I think there will be more breakthroughs in that area of development in 2022.

More clean air zones planned. Bradford and Manchester are already planning to start in 2022 but more cities I’m sure will follow when they see how much money that they could make.

Flagship's Training Guy Mike V

Covid, or rather the government's reaction to Covid isn't over yet and I foresee more restrictions coming in January which will be lockdown by the back door (and without the Furlough) which will be challenging times for the training industry as it will inevitably lead to smaller classes and people canceling training through the fear factor. Couple this with staff shortages due to self isolation within the transport sector, January could be bleak indeed. The perfect storm of DCPC training being put back because of Covid, and the belief in some transport managers that the government's review of DCPC could possible scrap it (it won't as it's not even being considered as an option) leading them to delay training bookings coupled with the onrushing 2024 will lead to a tsunami of demand for DCPC training in the latter half of 2022. Unless the political landscape changes the winter of 2022 could be a repeat of the last two with uncertainty about lockdown and restrictions returning.

The government's conclusion of its review of DCPC training is due in March. I doubt much will change except for the inclusion of more online content and possibly placing more activities 'out of scope'

The scrapping of the requirement for B license holders to take an additional test to tow a trailer of over 750kgs while bad from a road safety point of view will provide an opportunity to training providers as companies realise that although legally not mandated the risk of allowing untrained drivers loose is too great and they voluntarily take training on. This I believe will lead to a general awareness of the value of training in the sub 3.5t category. Van and fleet products will be in demand.

Fuel prices will continue to rise further squeezing operators margins and upping the pace for electric vehicles. Training topics that will begin to appear in 2022 will be the inclusion of EV awareness and safety.

The conclusion of another government consultation is due mid year. This one is the tri-annual review into the workings of the Office of the Traffic Commissioner. I don't think much will change but expect to see a more approachable and open communication opportunity from the TC's.

The TC's are reviewing the syllabus and qualification of TMCPC itself. We don't expect too many changes although the industry is keen to move back to a National/International mix. I suspect that would be too political and would need a legislation change away from the current EU compliant version but it's one to watch. Although the value of the International exam may diminish there would be, in training terms, an opportunity for more people to take a plunge and sit a National qualification.

From April 2022 there will be a requirement for vans over 2.5t being operated for hire and reward internationally to be included on an international operators license. This affects hardly any UK operators but will at least increase the awareness in van operations and give van operators an insight into the direction of travel in terms of upcoming regulation of that sector. Oh and Pompey will get promoted to the Championship in May !

Listen in for further suggestions from myself and other community members. Don't forget to subscribe and join our community group on Facebook, the Transport Manager & Consultants Hub.

ADR Awareness and understanding Transport of Dangerous Goods Safety with Mark Spence | AHDT S2#39

Understanding Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors role, or the role of a DGSA, as well as ADR Awareness for Transport Managers in this podcast.

Mark Spence is the Chair of BADGP otherwise known as the British Association of Dangerous Goods Professionals. We introduce for transport managers the need for understanding and training for both drivers and transport managers to understand how to improve safety for themselves and other road users.

The interview covers 6 key areas;

- Every day items that are dangerous goods

- Lithium batteries

- Class 2 gases

- Class 3 Flammable Liquids

- Class 8 Corrosives

- Common misconceptions in transporting dangerous goods

We also put Mark in the hotseat with audience questions too! Listen in today.

RUSHcast; 2021 a year in review! | AHDT S2#38

Ep 92 RUSHcast; 2021 a year in review! What a year it has been!?

2021 has not only flown by, but also been a year of huge change and evolution for all of us.

In this session, join me as I walk through all the changes, amendments and notable events of 2021, as we reflect on what we have all faced this year.

From introducing the Direct Vision Standard, and HGV Safety Permits, increasing the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), relaxation of driver hours, new covid variants, driver shortages, fuel shortages & brain cell shortages. We also saw changes to HGV Driver Testing.....with the back drop of a crumbling Tory government, check out todays 2021 year in review!

RUSHcast; Goal setting for performance in your compliance role | AHDT S2#37

In this weeks podcast we discuss Goal setting in your compliance or transport manager role. Get insight and suggestions for setting great performance objectives and goals for your business. After this session you will reduce the focus on 'compliance' and increase the focus on what 'GREAT performance' is. Narrowing down what this looks like in your business. This then helps you perform beyond compliance.

Brian Sagaseta discusses growing a fleet business, management buyout & fleet branding | AHDT S2#36

In this episode I interview, Brian Sagaseta, Managing Director of Chiltern Distribution in Peterborough. Brian shares great insights including growing his 45 strong fleet of HGV's. How vital branding is, as well as the transport sector.

 

As well as discussing his career in transport. We also discuss;

1. Brian's background

2. Chiltern Distribution's background and future plans.

3. Get behind the brand of Chiltern.

4. 3 things Brian loves about the Transport sector

5. 3 things that most frustrates Brain about our sector

6. As well as how can we improve the desirability of working in the sector to attract more drivers.

Interview with Truck Influencer Angelica Larsson | AHDT S2#35

In this episode I speak to Social Media Influencer Angelica Larsson. Angelica is a truck driver based in Sweden. She transports heavy machinery on a low loader and shares her stories, trials and tribulations with her following across her platforms. Angelica is hugely popular, she is super friendly and shares some great insights about working in the transport sector and is constantly positive!

RUSHcast; Drugs, Alcohol and Your Drivers | AHDT S2#34

The festive season is coming, with work parties coming up and statistics telling us that drivers are more likely to drive in a condition that is not safe for the road, this lunchtime LIVE will look at what you can do at this time to reduce your fleet risk. Managing the risk of drink driving and/or drug driving is a vital part of running your fleet, and we explore the risk and some actions you can take.

Transport Regulation, Compliance & Raising Standards with Beverley Bell CBE | AHDT S2#33

In this episode it was amazing to meet and interview former Senior Traffic Commissioner, Beverley Bell CBE.  Beverley know runs own training and consultancy business for Transport Operators and it was an absolute delight to have her on the show!

We discuss her background and what she really wanted to be when she grew up....(who on earth would dream of becoming a Senior TC after all!?)

We explore the role of the TC and why their role is so valuable.

What can be done to fix the biggest challenges in Transport

As well as making the sector more attractive for young people and women in the future.

This episode is a great listen and we really hope you enjoy the awesome insights that Beverley shares.

RUSHcast; Skills for Handling Conflict in your Transport Compliance Role | AHDT S2#32

In this RUSHcast on handling conflict in your Transport Compliance Role, we recognise that whether you are a Transport Manager or Compliance Manager conflict is a very natural part of the role you do.  Managing conflict effectively and developing those skills is a vital to succeeding in your role.

In this session we explore, the tactics for reducing conflict;

Defining acceptable behaviour, facing conflict head on, understanding WIIFM factors, the importance factor as well as seeing conflict as an opportunity.

Then we look at 5C's of dealing with conflict - careful listening, consideration of the conflict, calmly discuss and explore the conflict, conscientiously look at the facts, cooperation in working together to resolve.