Transport News
Revised statutory vehicle operator licensing documents – which were
released by the Senior Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain’s office
with a lack of fanfare in the run-up to Christmas – will make it easier
for traffic commissioners (TCs) to clamp down on those operators and
drivers who fail to comply with the myriad requirements of the ‘O’
Licence.
At the same time, the documents are expected to deliver what the
Senior Traffic Commissioner, Beverley Bell, describes as “a more
efficient and effective licensing regime that helps responsible
operators”.
In all, the updated documentation runs to some fifteen individual
volumes of Guidance devoted to clarifying the expectations of Traffic
Commissioners when it comes to the conduct of both vehicle operators and
drivers.
For example, a clear description of the transport manager’s role -
outlining what transport managers are expected to do to ensure they stay
on the right side of the law – is included.
This is the first time that the transport manager’s responsibilities
within his or her organisation have been specifically defined and could,
in theory, open the door to more prosecutions of employees who are
shown to not have been discharging their duties in a manner compliant
with the guidance laid down in the documentation.
Driver conduct requirements are also updated and, significantly, the
documentation highlights the fact that drivers can no longer use the
excuse that they had been following their employer’s instructions in an
attempt to avoid their personal responsibilities.
Altogether, Beverley Bell’s team published fifteen statutory
documents, offering guidance on areas as diverse as what constitutes a
different legal entity from the perspective of ‘O’ licensing and
financial record keeping; only two do not relate to freight operations.
While the TCs’ primary aim in revising the documentation is to target
those firms and drivers who put road safety at risk, all operators are
advised to familiarise themselves with the amendments in order to
understand how the changes may impact on their business procedures.
Vessel News
M.V. Norwegian Dawn
Five crew members were arrested for smuggling a consignment of cocaine.
M.V. Wide Bravo
The vessel was damaged when it encountered heavy weather conditions on route from Genoa to Tilbury. It would appear the damage is severe and the vessel had to be taken to Rotterdam for repairs.
