FTA launches secure-load guide for van drivers
Thursday 24 June 2010 Back to Blog
Van contract hire driver could benefit from a new guide on how to properly secure a load to a light goods vehicle.
The Freight Transport Association has launched a code of best practice aimed at enabling fleet operators to safely and legally secure loads and equipment.
According to the industry body, figures that show the number of instances of overloading found by traffic enforcement officers increased from 55.1 per cent in 2007 to 66.9 per cent in 2009.
James Hookham, the FTA's policy director, said: "We wanted to fill the void in guidance with meaningful advice based on realistic data to not only improve the safety of drivers and passengers in commercial vehicles, but also remove any legal ambiguities, so that operators know exactly where they stand."
He added that current guidelines from the Department for Transport and European Commission guidance does not take into account the effects of an impact on a load and so are largely inadequate.
The FTA's members operate a combined 200,000 goods vehicles - almost half the UK fleet.