Several large corporate haulage customers such as UKMail, M&S, DHL and TK Maxx are investing in new tear drop trailers from UK firm Don-Bur. These innovative trailers achieve a larger load capacity and improved drag co-efficients. For UK businesses this means a two-fold decrease in CO2, due to the increased loads that can be delivered by each HGV – and the increase in fuel economy; due to the revolutionary shape of the trailer.

The firm and their work on the trailer have been highlighted by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown as an example of the UK leading the way as a low carbon economy. This product is good news within the hard pressed haulage industry as it pulls of the tricky balancing act of lower costs and being beneficial to the green economy and reduced CO2 output.

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A new system is currently being developed by a UK firm designed to remove blind spots on HGV’s. According to figures from the Department for Transport there are over 1,000 accidents involving Lorries who fail to see other vehicles, when changing lanes. About two thirds of the accidents involve traffic moving into the right hand lane when overtaking.

The system comprises of four cameras, one at each corner of the vehicle. The system has no confirmed pricing as yet, but removes blind spots fro lorries, whether the vehicles are left or right hand drive. The cameras feed information back to the colour screen of the lorries navigation system and is currently being trailed. However it is expected to be a further 3 years before the system is available for retail.

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A recent study of motoring convictions in the UK and the professions of those drivers, has delivered surprising results. Those in the legal profession including solicitors, judges and magistrates have the highest rates of points on their licence. The actual rate of conviction for any offence that carries penalty points is 1 in 5.

The other professions with high rates of convicted drivers were the Medical Profession, Clergymen and women, Police officers and Teachers. All of this contradicts the conventional wisdom and assessment of risk – the lowest incidents of convicted drivers were for hairdressers and beauticians, also bar and restaurant staff had a very low ratio of convictions.

The national average for drivers with motoring convictions of any kind is 12.6%. At iQuote Insurance if you need Convicted Car Insurance, we can save you money. So whatever your driving history even if you have been banned from driving or are looking for Drink Drive Insurance, contact us for a quote.

During the second quarter of 2009, the average prices of used lorries increased by over 5%. Although prices are still down by nearly 20% on the same period in 2008 – this modest increase is the first signs of recovery in the market.

Because of the current tough economic conditions there are varying patterns in the market. Any specialist vehicles such as those with cranes fitted are seeing strong residual values, however the smaller end of the market – 7.5 tonne and upwards is suffering. This is due to operators switching to smaller vehicles to avoid licensing and driver regulation constraints on business operation. Also many operators are choosing vehicles with lesser power where possible to save on fuel costs.

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The haulage industry is experiencing tough trading conditions in August, several haulage firms have been forced into liquidation. To compound the misery the government’s fuel duty escalator will see prices rise with an additional 2p per litre on fuel. This couldn’t come at a worst time for the industry, with falling revenues and the whole sector under pressure. The controversial fuel duty escalator has been a bone of contention for HGV drivers, as this has been linked to the fuel prices paid by car drivers.

The industry has long campaigned for removing the link between the haulage industry fuel prices and the forecourt costs for car drivers. Increased costs to haulage are felt across the entire commercial sector and passed onto consumers. This results in not only increased prices at the pump, but higher costs for goods and services across the country. The introduction of the fuel duty could bring an already weakened industry to it’s knees.

However there is some positive news, if you get an HGV insurance quote in August you can receive up to 40% off your HGV quote. Apply online and for any commercial vehicle from 7.5 to 44 tonnes you will save money on your existing Lorry Insurance quote.

In proposed changes to the current system for defendants who challenge motoring convictions, drivers will see a dramatic reduction for costs being reimbursed for defending the case. Currently drivers who successfully defend their connection often see over 80 per cent of their costs recovered. However under the new revised system, which will assess your ability to pay many drivers will recover less than 20 per cent – even if successful.

This is predicted to result in a substantial increase in the number of convicted drivers, as motorists charged with an offence plead guilty – rather than risk the cost of defending their case. Currently in the UK one in four drivers who attend court successfully challenge their conviction. However thousands of innocent motorists simply will not be able to afford to challenge their cases.

Defending even a simple speeding case can cost as much as £4,000 without the benefit of legal aid. This is often out of the reach of most individuals to challenge the conviction, even if there is a valid dispute. Convicted drivers often experience higher insurance costs and limitations on vehicle hire and jobs which require a driving licence.

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Spurs defender Pascal Chimbonda was caught traveling at 90mph in a 70mph limit by officers in Yorkshire. Pascal already has driving convictions and currently has nine points on his licence. Officers stopped the premiership footballer during a roadside speed trap in his Porsche Cayenne on 11th January.

The Solicitor representing Mr Chimbonda presented the magistrates with evidence relating to the accuracy of the equipment used on the day in question. Firstly in breach of guidance the in-car radio was switched on which could have effected the accuracy of the equipment, secondly the traffic officer had not personally calibrated the speed gun. However the magistrates disregarded both of these factors and sentencing is due to take place on 10th September.

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The UK borders agency has just completed a three week immigration crackdown targeted at reducing stowaway immigrants hiding in heavy goods vehicles. It is the responsibility of the driver and haulage operator to ensure that vehicles are properly secured. In the recent crackdown £68k was recovered in penalty charges from drivers and haulage firms.

Officers from the borders agency have used a highly visible presence in lorry drop hotspots in the South East, to reinforce the message of vigilance with HGV drivers. Hauliers are the unfortunate victims on the front line of the battle with immigration, the UK borders agency has advice for Lorry drivers on stowaways which can be found on their website: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk

This added pressure of fines and rigorous security checks, creates added pressure for the hard pressed haulage operators and drivers. However there is some relief in the current climate with cheaper HGV insurance. iQuote Insurance will beat your existing HGV insurance quote, with a policy tailored to your requirements and immediate cover available.

Currently the UK government is planning to scrap the 20 pence per litre fuel duty saving in comparison to regular fossil fuel. Industry insiders have said that this will have a huge impact on the present levels and continued growth of Biofuel use with the UK, particularly for haulage operators.

The current tax break and concerns over the environmental impact of fossil fuels have seen biodiesel usage rise year on year. However with an increased tax levy, this trend could be reduced. The government is gambling on increase tax revenues which should stack up to over half a billion pounds per year, if usage remains unchanged. However the danger is that hauliers and road transport operators will switch to regular diesel, once the tax benefits have been removed. This would harm the government’s targets for renewable energy for commercial road transport and the environment.

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In June 2009 there was a fall of over 40% for the registration of commercial vehicles in the UK. The hardest sector hit was heavy goods vehicles with a fall of 47% on the previous month. The fear within the industry is that this situation will only continue to deteriorate towards the end of 2009.

Most HGV manufacturers were affected, however the largest fall was experienced by Volvo and Mitsubishi, who new registration fell by over 60%. Although the van market is expected to level out in the coming months, the introduction of the Euro 5 emissions with the EU is likely to keep the market for Trucks in the UK in decline.

The deadline for the new emissions standards is October 2009, after this date there could be an even sharper drop. This reflects a very difficult economic climate for haulage operators, which shows no signs of recovery as yet. However amongst all of the current challenges there is an opportunity to reduce your HGV insurance by up to 40% with iQuote Insurance when you get a lorry quote online. This is welcome news for haulage firms and owner operators facing difficult trading conditions.

For further information on the decline in commercial vehicle registrations visit the SMMT website.