Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Half of drivers ignore basic advice to prevent deadly tiredness at the wheel

Brake


Drivers are being advised to take simple steps to avoid falling asleep at the wheel as the holiday season starts and many families prepare for long distance travel to destinations across the UK and Europe.
Road safety charity Brake and Direct Line today reveal more than half of drivers (55%) are ignoring basic advice to take rest breaks at least every two hours on long journeys, while one in ten (9%) don't stop at all on long journeys unless they absolutely have to. Many also admit failing to get enough sleep the night before a long journey, as less than half (45%) make sure they get at least seven hours' sleep.
Brake and Direct Line are warning families gearing up for long holiday journeys that too little sleep and too few breaks radically affects your ability to drive safely. After five hours' sleep you only have a one in ten chance of staying fully awake on a lengthy journey [1].
The survey of 1,000 drivers from across the UK by Brake and Direct Line showed widespread complacency about the risks of tired drivers on long journeys. It found:
Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, Brake, the road safety charity, said: "A large proportion of the driving public are scarily confident they can push on through on long drives without stopping. In reality, regular breaks - at least every two hours - are essential for staying alert and awake, as is getting plenty of sleep the night before. Sleepiness can catch you unawares at the wheel and it only takes a couple of seconds on a motorway to cause absolute carnage. The summer means long journeys for many families hoping to catch some sun at the coast or abroad. Brake is warning that to make sure you and your loved ones get there safely you need to allow plenty of time to take it easy, take regular rest breaks, and ensure you get a full night's sleep beforehand."
Rob Miles, head of Motor at Direct Line, commented: "Tiredness and driving are a deadly combination. Not only is there a risk of falling asleep at the wheel, but when we are tired our reactions and awareness of our surroundings are not as sharp as they would normally be. Whilst tired drivers may think that stopping for a break will increase their journey time, it's not worth the risk to themselves, their passengers or other road users. It is better to get there late than not to arrive at all."
The facts
Driver tiredness is one of the biggest killers on our roads. In the UK driver tiredness is estimated to cause one in five deaths on trunk roads [2]. In 2011 in Great Britain it was reported 84 people were killed and 420 suffered serious injuries in tiredness related crashes [3], although the real figure could be higher, because it can be difficult to prove when a crash is caused by a driver falling asleep. They tend to be high-speed crashes, because drivers do not brake before crashing, so the risk of death or serious injury is greater.
Calls to government
Brake supports recent government proposals to allow drivers who oversleep at motorway service stations to pay for their parking retrospectively to avoid a fine [4].
But it calls for more to be done to help drivers by creating more stopping places for drivers to take a break and more government advertising on the risks of driving tired, raising awareness about the importance of not embarking on a journey while tired, and steps to take if you start to feel drowsy at the wheel. We also need greater crash protection on trunk roads, such as longer crash barriers over bridges, to reduce the severity of crashes if they do happen.
Action to tackle tired driving among fleet drivers is also needed because an estimated four in ten tired driver crashes involves a commercial vehicle driver [5]. Brake recommends regular testing of people who drive for work for sleep apnoea, a treatable condition that makes falling asleep at the wheel much more likely, thought to be particularly widespread among HGV drivers [6]. Brake also believes the rules controlling hours that can be driven by truck and bus drivers should be extended to cover fleet drivers in vans and cars.
Read about Brake's Wake up! campaign.
Driver advice
Get plenty of sleep before a journey, plan your journey to include time for adequate rest and don't set out if you are already tired. Take rest breaks at least every two hours for a minimum of 15 minutes.
If you feel tired when driving, listen to the warning signs straight away and stop for a break somewhere safe as soon as you can. Sleep ensues faster than you think - trying to fight off sleep by opening the window or listening to the radio puts you at risk of ‘microsleeps', when you nod off for two to 30 seconds without remembering it. Microsleeps can be fatal: at 70mph a driver travels 200m in six seconds. However, fatigue can even affect your ability to drive safely long before microsleeps occur [7].
If you start to feel sleepy while driving stop for at least a 15 minute break somewhere safe. If you drink caffeine, drink two cups of coffee or preferably a high-caffeine energy drink, then take a 10-15 minute snooze. By the time you wake up any caffeine will have kicked in and you may feel alert enough to continue your journey. If you still feel tired, or you still have a long way to go, you should stay put and try to find somewhere to get a good night's sleep. Caffeine is a temporary drug and its effects do not last long. Sleep is the only long-term cure to tiredness.
Case study
In April 2008, Mark, 32, from Thetford, Norfolk, was just ten minutes away from home, travelling back after visiting friends in Hertfordshire. The driver behind Mark watched him drive steadily for around a mile and then saw his car drift across the road. As Mark swerved to return to the correct side of the road he drove into a 40 tonne vehicle driving in the opposite direction. He died instantly.
Barry Love, step father of Mark, said: "I have driven a lot for work so was aware of the effect that tiredness can have when driving, but Mark's death really brought this home. It is awful to think that something so easily avoidable took Mark away from us, and caused such pain and devastation to our family. The issue of driver fatigue needs far more public awareness, as tiredness can come on very quickly. If you notice any signs of tiredness before setting off, please rethink whether the journey is essential, or if you're already driving, take a rest as soon as you possibly can."
To arrange interviews with Barry or Brake, contact Siobhan MacMahon on 01484 550063 or email news@brake.org.uk.
BrakeBrake is an independent road safety charity. Brake exists to stop the five deaths and 63 serious injuries that happen on UK roads every day and to care for families bereaved and seriously injured in road crashes. Brake runs awareness-raising campaigns, community education programmes, events such as Road Safety Week (18-24 November 2013), and a Fleet Safety Forum, providing advice to companies. Brake's support division cares for road crash victims through a helpline and other services.

Road crashes are not accidents; they are devastating and preventable events, not chance mishaps. Calling them accidents undermines work to make roads safer, and can cause insult to families whose lives have been torn apart by needless casualties.

DATED: 23.07.13

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# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 6:36 am

Headline News: New Range Rover Sport off to a flyer with more to come




Land Rover already has 15,000 orders for the new Range Rover Sport, even though it is not yet available anywhere in the world.
It will be in showrooms in Europe this autumn and in other markets soon afterwards, with other models that will further broaden its appeal scheduled to be launched in 2014.
In the UK it will initially be available with 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel and 5.0-litre V8 supercharged petrol engines, priced from £51,550. A less-powerful V6 diesel and a 4.4-litre V8 diesel will be added around the turn of the year, and Land Rover has a diesel hybrid with CO2 emissions of only 169g/km under development.
Land Rover has also confirmed that in time there will also be a model with a four-cylinder engine. This is likely to be seen in 2015.
While a four-cylinder power unit might outwardly be seen as feeble for a large sports-luxury SUV, the new Sport's all-aluminium monocoque construction - in place of the steel body on frame of the previous model - makes it viable. The new Sport is up to 420kg lighter than its predecessor, and a four-cylinder engine will take this to more than half a tonne.
Land Rover has not confirmed whether the four-cylinder engine will be a petrol or a diesel - it has both in its armoury and available in the Freelander and Range Rover Evoque - but the favourite would be the 2.0-litre petrol unit. This would significantly lower the price of the car by making the most of the taxation structure in the all-important Chinese market. 
Although the Sport is based on the new body architecture of the regal Range Rover, there are significant differences between the two beyond their styling. The Sport, which is the better-selling and more family-oriented of the two, now offers five-plus-two seating, with a pair of electrically movable flat-folding child seats. It also has a one-piece tailgate in place of the split affair on the Range Rover, and a lower ride height - although improved on that of the previous car.
The suspension has also been significantly retuned and offers a Dynamic mode in the Sport, and there are two all-wheel-drive systems tailored to the degree of off-road challenge owners are likely to subject the car to.
Land Rover is also hinting that there will be additional versions of the Range Rover and Sport, including a long-wheelbase version of one or both of them targeted at the chauffeur-drive Chinese market. Although not confirmed, Land Rover admits there are "always customers who want even more space".

DATED: 23.07.13

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# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 6:35 am

Headline News: Range Rover Sport: it's plane selling




It's the stuff of legend that you can take a Land Rover anywhere - but now it seems you can sell one anywhere, too.
During the Range Rover Sport launch in the Cotswolds and the Welsh Borders, two of the car's chief engineers encountered an Armenian couple who owned a first-generation model, perched on a Welsh hilltop. While the husband sat in his car listening to music, the wife was doing a spot of painting. That's painting as in "art" rather than "and decorating".
The Armenians already had a new Sport on order and had more or less decided on their ideal specification and the date they wanted the car delivered, even though they had yet to see one in the metal.
So you can imagine their surprise when a steady flow of new Range Rover Sports passed by and one - driven by the engineers - stopped to take in the scenery.
The result is that the Armenians were given a chance to look over and sit in the car, and get some advice on which model would best suit them from two of the people best qualified to talk about it, while Land Rover added another order - for a V8 supercharged version - to the 15,000 already in the bag. The couple, who also own several Defenders, plan to buy it in the UK and drive it all the way home.
Meanwhile, journalists attending the launch were given an unusual chance to test the car's capabilities - by driving it up and down steep ramps into and out of the fuselage of a de-commissioned Boeing 747, with a few articulation and manoeuvrability tests lurking within the plane. 

DATED: 23.07.13

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# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 6:35 am

Chevrolet ignites next stage in Captiva launch campaign

Chevrolet


ZURICH - Chevrolet's digitally-led campaign on YouTube to support the launch of its new Captiva SUV in Europe has over performed against the main targets the American car brand set itself at kick-off roughly one month ago. The first wave of videos highlighting the capabilities of the Captiva SUV delivered over 200 million impressions and attracted more than 5 million video views.
The short films, called Chevrolet Captiva Life Test, capture the benefits and spirit of the Captiva SUV through unexpected, humorous scenarios. They are created by a select group of highly popular YouTube users. These include DigitalRev TV, the world's most popular photography video platform with over 600,000 subscribers, and Secretos de Chicas, a young woman from Spain who shares her latest make-up and styling secrets from the front passenger seat of the versatile Chevrolet Captiva.
"The campaign marks the first-ever automotive OEM branded multi-market content partnership with YouTube content creators. We are very happy with how it has kicked off and are looking forward to more of those original, inspiring videos to go online in the near future," said Beate Stumpe, Director of Brand and Marketing, Chevrolet Europe.
Manoeuvring a driverless SUV
With an eye-catching design, powerful yet efficient engines and versatility - from all-wheel drive, to room for up to seven passengers or 942 litres of luggage space - the Captiva SUV is "Ready for Everything" when it comes to the demands of modern, adventure-seeking drives.
To prove this, Rob J. Mardin, better known to millions of YouTube viewers and fans by his stage name Brett Domino, and Arduino, the creators of an open-source electronics prototyping platform, came up with their own unique idea for a Life Test.
A musician, comedian and internet celebrity, Brett Domino plays covers, medleys and original songs on various obscure instruments. Brett has been featured on BBC Radio 1 and ITV's Britain's Got Talent and his YouTube videos have received 15 millionviews. His band, the Brett Domino Trio, consists of two people: himself and Steven Peaves (Ste Anderson).
In what looks set to rank among the band's most unorthodox performances yet, the musician will manoeuvre a driverless Captiva, directing the SUV's movements through an electric keyboard and other instruments. At the heart of the undertaking are Arduino Uno and Due microcontrollers that convert signals from the musical instruments into commands which are transferred to the throttle, steering wheel and brakes through compatible digital servo motors.
Brett Domino's videos will be posted on YouTube end of August, coinciding with the launch of the campaign in Germany, Switzerland and France.
At the same time, Chevrolet will present another set of Life Test videos produced by Dr. Allwissend, a Berlin-born comedian, who created his YouTube channel in 2011 as a creative hobby, and today operates three YouTube channels. In his customary offbeat, ironic manner, Dr. Allwissend will put the Chevrolet Captiva through its paces and elicit smiles and amusement among his audience along the way.
Inspired by the early success of the campaign, Chevrolet also brought on board longtime partner MOFILM, a global community of filmmakers specialising in branded storytelling, to further extend on the Captiva Life Test campaign. Five film makers and their crews will run 24 hour challenges with the Captiva across Europe and document their experiences in short films. The first web videos will be released in early August.
Global strategic partnership with Google
The Chevrolet Captiva campaign is the direct result of the global strategic partnership between Chevrolet and Google. The combination of a pan-European digitally-led launch of a new car placed in the hands of YouTube content creators represents a first in the OEM automotive space.
Viewers can join the conversation in multiple ways on the Chevrolet Europe Facebook page, Instagram and on Twitter using the hashtags #Captiva and #LifeTest. In addition to digital media, Chevrolet is making use of Out of Home and above the line advertising, in selected markets, to drive traffic for the campaign.
Previous Chevrolet-Google brand initiatives include the award-winning "Firsts" campaign for the Chevrolet Sonic (Aveo) in the U.S.
To roll out the campaign across Europe, Chevrolet is working with its two global lead agencies: Commonwealth (Milan) for creative and coordination and Carat (London) for media.

DATED: 23.07.13

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# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 6:33 am

Aston Martin celebrates its centenary in scorching style

Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd


22 July 2013, Gaydon, Warwickshire: Tens of thousands of eager owners and  enthusiasts made the trip to Kensington Gardens, London, yesterday to witness the largest gathering of iconic British sports cars in history as Aston Martin's year-long programme of centenary celebrations made its way to the UK.
The unique display of some of the finest British sports cars ever made - which included a timeline of highly significant Aston Martin models as well as displays dedicated to the brand's 50-year love affair with James Bond, its proud motorsport heritage and much else besides - drew exhibitors and visitors from across the UK, and far beyond.     
Staged by the Aston Martin Owners Club, Aston Martin Heritage Trust and Aston Martin, and held with the kind permission of The Royal Parks and The Royal Household, the celebration in the capital was the culmination of a week-long programme of centenary activity which included specially-created driving tours across Europe as well as a host of unique events at the brand's Gaydon headquarters.
Yesterday's celebration, held under blazing sun and clear blue skies, saw an unprecedented gathering of the rarest, most significant and most beautiful Aston Martins ever made muster in the historic surroundings of Kensington Gardens.
As many as 550 Aston Martin models - worth around an estimated £1 billion - were on display in the Park or parked at nearby Perks Field, meaning the event also represented the largest single gathering of Aston Martins in history.    
CEO Dr Ulrich Bez joined the events in London, which also included a glittering black tie party on Saturday night for 1,000 owners and invited guests at the Freemasons' Hall on Great Queen Street in the heart of the city. The party featured entertainment from national radio DJ Benji B, plus composer Grant Thornton and the 16-piece band Deviation Strings.
Dr Bez said: "The weekend was a fantastic celebration of all things Aston Martin and, I believe, shows why the brand retains such a special place in the hearts of so many owners and enthusiasts around the world.
"Exclusivity is a key part of the Aston Martin mystique - we have made only around 65,000 cars in our entire 100-year history to date - so to see so many of these rare beauties gathered together in London was a truly historic occasion."
He added: "I would like to acknowledge the generous support of the AMOC, AMHT and the Royal Parks, without which this incredible event would not have been possible."        
Themed car displays told Aston Martin's remarkable story with the centrepiece of the event, the Centenary Timeline Display on the Broadwalk, taking visitors on a 100-year journey from the origins of the brand in Henniker Mews, Chelsea, to its current global headquarters in Warwickshire.
Every significant Aston Martin road car was represented from ‘A3', the oldest surviving car, to the Vanquish Centenary Edition, forthcoming V12 Vantage S and Vanquish Volante. Meanwhile the luxury sports car maker's exciting future was represented by the exceptional CC100 Speedster Concept - a tantalising glimpse of the potential shape of the brand's cars in years to come.
Elsewhere in the park a Centenary Selection display was created to showcase the diverse and uniquely bespoke nature of the brand. This varied line-up included cars rarely seen outside of private collections including a brace of new Zagato models, the trio of Bertone Jets, and a number of other unique cars commissioned over the years by passionate customers around the world.
Aston Martin's proud 50-year association with James Bond was of course enthusiastically marked with seven of the movie cars on display including the iconic DB5 from the most recent blockbuster, Skyfall.
Motorsport was, naturally, a key feature in Kensington, too, with a display dedicated to some of the most significant and successful racing cars in Aston Martin history. Highlights included the Ulster, iconic DBR1, legendary DB4 GT Zagato and Gulf-liveried V8 Vantage GTE.
Entry to the Centenary Celebration was free and upwards of 50,000 owners, enthusiasts and casual visitors soaked up the sun as they viewed rare and exceptional models drawn from Aston Martin's sumptuous 100-year history.
Previously, around 1,200 guests had made the trip to the brand's global HQ in Warwickshire for five days of innovative centenary-themed activities including the creation of a Michelin star-standard pop-up ‘restaurant' on the Aston Martin production line. ‘Dine on the Line' and its sister activity ‘Tea in Design' - which saw guests take traditional afternoon tea in the stylish surroundings of the Aston Martin design studio - saw visitors treated to informative centenary displays, bespoke factory tours and, of course, some exceptional food and wine.   
Dr Bez said: "Heritage is a vital part of the Aston Martin story and it is only right that we celebrate this in spectacular style here in the brand's UK home. Now we can look to further global activities starting with our participation at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in just a few weeks' time."
The Aston Martin Centenary Celebration was created with the support of Aston Martin's Centenary Technology Partner Microsoft and Centenary Celebration partners Bang & Olufsen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, Louis Roederer, Viaggi, Pirelli and Zurich Private Clients.

DATED: 23.07.13

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# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 6:32 am

Renault and Dacia at the 65th Frankfurt International Motor Show

Renault (UK) Ltd


Renault and Dacia welcome you to the press days at the 65th Frankfurt Motor Show on 10th and 11th September. Highlights will include new products, a press conference and interviews with company executives.
This year's Frankfurt show will be an ideal opportunity to find out more about new developments:
The members of the Renault Group Executive Committee will be present for the two press days:
Several highlights are planned, including:
The press conference will be broadcast live on the www.renault.com website and the www.media.renault.commedia site.
Experts on all the products and topics presented will also be on hand to answer questions on the latest Renault and Dacia news.
New locations in Hall 8
See you in Frankfurt on 10th September.

DATED: 23.07.13

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# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 6:31 am

BMW powers down the cost of electromobility

BMW (UK) Limited


BMW UK today announced the pricing of one of the most anticipated cars in its history
The all-new BMW i3 will be delivered to customers in the UK in November, 2013 with a leasing price starting from just £369* a month.
Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management, Sales and Marketing BMW, said: "The BMW i3 heralds the dawn of a new era for individual mobility and for the BMW Group. True to a genuine BMW, the BMW i3 has strong emotional appeal, outstanding product substance and a guarantee of sheer driving pleasure. With this leading-edge vehicle and compelling price, we will provide customers with an attractive offer for electromobility."
Customers entering into an agreement for an all-electrically powered BMW i3 can embark on a world of electric motoring by signing up to a 36 month contract and paying an initial £2,995 (incl. VAT)  followed by monthly payments of £369 (incl. VAT) and contract mileage of 24,000 miles.
Those customers who wish to buy the BMW i3 outright can do so from £25,680 OTR** for the all electric car, while the price for the range extender version, that features an additional 650cc two-cylinder petrol engine to maintain the battery charge and extend the range to an approximate 180 miles on one tank of fuel, will be announced at a later date.
BMW i3 products and services will be sold via a multi-channel sales model, comprised of authorized BMW i partners, a Customer Interaction Center (CIC) as well as an online platform. All sales channels will be fully networked and customers will be able to personalise their entire purchasing process to suit their needs.
Charging and maintenance 
The BMW i3 comes as standard in the UK with AC Fast Charging which sees a 7.4Kw charge power up the BMW i3 from zero to 80 per cent within three hours. This can be performed by the optional BMW i Wallbox. The exclusive Wallbox has been created to give customers a comprehensive and premium sustainable mobility experience. Installation will be provided at the customer's home and "green" power options will be offered via selected BMW i partners, for emission-free home charging. AC Fast Charging is also the most widespread public charging option in the UK.
Occasional charging can also be performed using a pre-supplied cable, fitting a standard household socket at 3.7Kw, when a 32 Amp AC Fast Charging port is not available. Charging this way takes eight to 10 hours. DC Fast Charging is the third and final option available to owners and allows a BMW i3 to get an 80 per cent charge in just 30 minutes to one hour. It uses a 50Kw connection to do this and is the best option for public locations where quick short charges are required.
The BMW i3 will have its international world premiere on 29 July at parallel events in the megacities of London, New York and Beijing where full details on the BMW i3 range will be revealed.

DATED: 23.07.13

FEED: HA

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 6:31 am

RHA comments on MPs’ report on VOSA

Road Haulage Association (RHA)


The Road Haulage Association notes with much interest the Transport Committee's report of its VOSA inquiry.
RHA Director of Policy, Jack Semple said: "We welcome the emphasis on tackling serious offenders, especially those who falsify tachograph records, and we sincerely hope that the police will be able to provide the support VOSA needs. Hopefully, the report will give added impetus to discussions between VOSA and ACPO.
"It is good to see the positive emphasis placed on the potential for the DfT-chaired Compliance Forum, which was first proposed by the Road Haulage Association. It was established last September and we note the committee's view that "the Forum's effectiveness remains unclear".
"We agree with the committee that VOSA may have an over-reliance on OCRS; our concern in that area relates to all serious offenders, including foreign hauliers and UK firms, regardless of size."
The report's findings in respect of Authorised Testing Facilities will doubtless be welcomed by VOSA's staff union but the RHA disagrees with them on several counts and is surprised that the rate of development of ATFs is judged to have been too rapid. It falls far short of the original targets set by the DfT.
Jack Semple continued: "We are disappointed that the MPs reject the case for ending VOSA's monopoly on testing. In particular, we note that the report fails to address a central point made by the RHA, that safety inspections are being carried out either by operators themselves or a maintenance provider, at least four, and very often eight times a year, which must be fully documented. It is a very short step to allow those who are maintaining and inspecting their vehicles to a high standard to perform the EU-mandated annual test. VOSA staff would be much better employed regulating the testing system than carrying out the tests."
The report flags up a keen interest in reviewing the merger of VOSA and the Driving Standards Agency, which was announced after the inquiry had taken evidence and the Association will be contributing its view on this important merger.

DATED: 23.07.13

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# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 6:30 am

BIBA's former Chief Executive, Eric Galbraith wins TAF Lifetime Achievement Award

British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA)

The British Insurance Brokers' Association's (BIBA) former Chief Executive, Eric Galbraith has won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the prestigious Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards.
Judges commented that "Eric has spent his working career in the insurance industry.  In his time at BIBA, Eric has clearly had some major successes and now stands down from BIBA.  The organisation has been transformed under Eric's watchful eye making BIBA a force to be reckoned with and it is clearly evident that Eric has the respect and support of all his staff who collectively nominated him for the Award.  Eric is a dedicated individual who deserves recognition for his many achievements."
Steve White, BIBA Chief Executive said: "I am delighted that the Trade Association Forum has decided to honour Eric with this award. It is a testimony to both the terrific job he did at BIBA and the high regard that his former colleagues have for him and a fitting way to bring to a close his near ten year term of office. He is and will continue to be a hard act to follow."
The awards, hosted by the Trade Association Forum were presented at a ceremony at Northumberland Avenue.

DATED: 23.07.13

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# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 6:29 am

Fit to drive? Essential Brake conference to tackle driver impairment

Brake


Driving while impaired, whether through fatigue, poor eyesight or the influence of alcohol or drugs, is highly risky behaviour which results all too frequently in death and serious injury.
Road safety charity Brake is urging professionals with an interest in road safety to attend its essential Fit to drive conference, sponsored by Dräger, to help them tackle these key road safety issues.

Despite recent progress, drink and drug driving still pose a huge threat on UK roads. More than 8% of UK road deaths in 2011 were caused by drivers impaired by alcohol. Meanwhile, 57% of respondents to a recent Brake survey of fleet operators stated they don't test drivers for alcohol; 63% stated they don't test for illegal drugs. Driver fatigue and poor driver eyesight are also devastating risks, which could easily be eliminated by changing driver attitudes and behaviour.
At the conference, expert speakers will share the latest research on the dangers of impaired driving and provide professionals with advice on implementing successful community and workplace interventions through effective campaigning, education and enforcement.
The seminar will take place on Tuesday 17 September 2013 at Sedgley Park Centre, Manchester. Places cost just £90 + VAT for Brake subscribers and £136 + VAT for non-subscribers. Book online or contact Brake on admin@brake.org.uk or +44 (0)1484 559909.
Ellie Pearson, senior professional engagement officer at Brake says: "Impaired driving, whether through drink and drugs, fatigue, or poor eyesight, poses a huge risk to the lives of all road users. It is crucial that road safety and fleet professionals properly understand these risks and take all possible steps to eradicate them. I would recommend the Fit to drive conference to anyone with a professional interest in road safety who wants to make a difference in their community or workplace."
Mark Burrup, Regional Focus Group Manager Diagnostics, at Draeger Safety UK Ltd says: "Draeger Safety UK is proud to be associated with Brake and the great work they do to raise awareness of road safety issues. We are very happy to be sponsoring the Fit to Drive conference.
"We work to create diagnostic equipment that accurately tests for substances that can impair drivers and have a long history of helping law enforcement professionals to test drivers who may be impaired by alcohol, being the first company in the UK to receive type approval on a breathalyser.
"Draeger Safety UK also recently received the first Home Office type approval for drug testing for cannabis, and police forces across the UK will soon be using the Dräger DrugTest 5000 to enforce new laws surrounding driving under the influence of cannabis. We would encourage all organisations interested in enforcing anti-drink and drug driving policies for employees to attend the conference."

DATED: 23.07.13

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# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 6:28 am

Workshop explores greater government and fleet industry co-operation

British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA)


With a fleet of around 2.8 million cars, vans and trucks and an informed customer base making rational business decisions, the vehicle rental and leasing sector represents a powerful ally in delivering the government's transport and emissions targets.
This was one of the conclusions of a recent workshop hosted by the BVRLA and consultants PwC, which included representatives from across government, the fleet sector, research organisations and vehicle manufacturers.
The event was organised to spread awareness of the size and scope of the fleet leasing market, assess the impact of the government's tax regime and explore ways in which policymakers and industry can work together more productively.
"Although we had a broad range of stakeholders present, there was widespread agreement on some key issues," said BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney. "We all want road transport to be affordable and sustainable, and believe that there should be incentives to use lower-emitting vehicles, but we recognise that the government needs to protect its tax revenues.
"Our sector buys around 50% of all new vehicles registered each year, and if we can work more closely with government, I think we can achieve all these goals."
Notes to Editors
The workshop included representatives from the following organisations:
ACFO, Alphabet GB, BVRLA, Committee on Climate Change, Ecolane Transport Consultancy, Energy Saving Trust, GE Capital Fleet Services, Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, HM Revenue & Customs, LeasePlan, Lombard Corporate Finance, Loughborough University, LowCVP, OLEV, Oxford Economics, PwC, RAC Foundation, SMMT, TRL, Tusker and Vauxhall.
About the BVRLA
The BVRLA is the UK trade body for companies engaged in the rental and leasing of cars and commercial vehicles. Its members provide short-term rental, contract hire and fleet management services to corporate users and consumers. They operate a combined fleet of around 2.8 million cars, vans and trucks, buying nearly half of all new vehicles sold in the UK.
Through its members and their customers, the BVRLA represents the interests of more than two million business car drivers and the millions of people who use a rental vehicle each year. As well as lobbying the government on key issues affecting the sector, the BVRLA regulates its members through a mandatory code of conduct.
www.bvrla.co.uk

DATED: 23.07.13

FEED: HA

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 6:28 am

All-new Mazda3 cars to tackle 9,300 mile endurance test

Mazda Motors UK Ltd


Mazda has long been famed for the robust quality and reliability of its vehicles and the all-new Mazda3 builds on those key attributes.  To prove just how good its new model is, Mazda is sending eight of its new compact hatchbacks on an unconventional test drive - travelling more than 9,300 miles from the factory in Hiroshima to the 2013 International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany.
The ‘Mazda Route3 - Hiroshima to Frankfurt Challenger Tour 2013' crosses nine time zones, five countries and two continents, traversing Russia (the world's largest country), before crossing Belarus and Poland.  Driven by journalists, bloggers and Mazda dealers, the convoy of new Mazda3 cars will arrive in Frankfurt on Saturday 7 September, three days before the motor show opens its doors.  Mazda fans can follow the convoy's progress on a dedicated website available at www.mazda.co.uk/mazdaroute3/ which will feature a trip diary with images and videos.
After taking a ferry across the Sea of Japan, the main overland portion of the Mazda Route3 endurance test drive begins in Vladivostok, Russia's main Pacific port, on 3 August.   British media and Mazda dealers from the UK will be among the first crews to pilot the Mazda3 test fleet when they participate in the three legs from Vladivostok to Krasnoyars, via Blagoveshensk and Ulan-Ude.
Averaging just over 1,300 miles, the seven ensuing legs of the tour will take between three and six days each to cover.  The endurance test will provide ample opportunity for those behind the wheel - journalists and Mazda enthusiasts from various parts of the world - to become well acquainted with the all-new Mazda3 under a variety of conditions.  There will also be several opportunities along the way to experience different cultures and customs.
All the Mazda3 hatchback test cars will be powered by a 120ps SKYACTIV-G petrol engine mated to a six-speed SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission.  From the stunning ‘KODO - Soul of Motion' exterior design to the advanced lightweight SKYACTIV technology and a completely redesigned cabin space, the convention-defying all-new Mazda3 is built to exceed customer expectations.
Enhancing traditional Mazda strengths, new Mazda3 delivers uncompromising handling, safety and build quality.  In the UK, there will be a choice of two bodystyles (hatchback and fastback), three SKYACTIV-G petrol engines and one SKYACTIV-D diesel - all offering an unbeatable combination of performance, fuel economy and low emissions that should place the all-new Mazda3 among the best in Europe's C-segment.
This will be the third time that Mazda models have taken part in such an extreme test drive.  In 1977, German reporters drove two predecessors of the Mazda3 - Mazda 323 hatchbacks - from Japan to Frankfurt.  The expedition was followed up successfully in 1990, when four Mazda 626s crossed the former Soviet Union.  Now the stage is set for the most advanced Mazda compact ever to follow in their tracks.

DATED: 23.07.13

FEED: HA

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 6:27 am

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