Guests and members joined the Northern Centre to hear a fascinating talk from transport law specialists, Backhouse Jones.
L to R: Michael Sweetmore(IRTE Northern Centre), Julia Davies, Jonathon Backhouse, Sam Archer (IRTE Northern Centre Hon. Chairman)
The IRTE Northern Centre kicked off their season of CPD events with a new location in East Lancashire and the return of representatives from Clitheroe based transport law specialists, Backhouse Jones.
A total of 32 members and guests were present at the Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel to attend the presentation given by director Jonathon Backhouse along with brand manager Julia Davies, of the Clitheroe based operation.
The evening began with Jonathon giving an in-depth insight into the consequences for the operator and their transport managers when company vehicles are involved in bridge strikes and the importance of making sure drivers are fully trained and familiar with the equipment in their charge, along with route knowledge.
The next topic to be covered was Health and Safety and the broad range of what can happen when failings within health and safety are investigated by the Health and Safety executive ranging from a financial penalty to custodial prison sentences.
Tachograph legislation changes and its enforcement was then covered before the speaker moved onto the maintenance investigation process undertaken by DVSA and the reasons why an investigation may be undertaken.
Jonathon spoke about all the documentation that the MIVR process generates for both a maintenance and a compliance investigation, and the importance of the transport manager and operator in responding positively to the findings when the investigation is completed.
The final part of the presentation covered poor driving habits that included mobile phone use and the changes within the highway code relating to all road users.
A highly informative question and answer session rounded off the evening before IRTE Northern Centre Hon. Treasurer Michael Sweetmore thanked the speakers on behalf of the centre and those present for once again supporting the centre.