The EPDA AGM took place last weekend in Wynn’s Hotel Dublin, An opening presentation by Barry Lyons gave the delegates a clear view of the issues that where worked on by the EPDA and the programmes that they are currently undertaking. The contributions from the top table and the floor were extremely constructive and enlightening. The input from the floor gave strong support for the work in hand and gave the meeting Both William Brennan and Kevin Hurley emphasised that membership of the association is open to all professional drivers regardless of employment status. Employees and the self employed will benefit equally from Association representation.  To read more ……….click here

Coke Bike Scheme was launched this week. Now Limerick, Cork and Galway will provide the public with access to a public bicycle scheme. A great initiative for a country that will according to a recent publication be the most obese country in Europe by 2030.

Professional Drivers will be all to well aware of the danger of mixing HGV traffic with cyclists. In a tow week period in November 2013 six cyclists were killed in London.  We have to highlight the dangers for cyclists and drivers in working in close proximity to HGV’s, buses and coaches.

The EPDA is putting together a working committee that will address the safety issues surrounding the growth in the cycling community and make recommendations that will help reduce the risk of accidents involving cyclists. To read the Coke Bike Scheme Press Release………..click here.  

A report in the Irish Mirror by Garreth McNamee tells of an an accident that took place on Saturday the 17th May, when a 19 year old teenage girl was left in a critical condition after accident on Dame Street.  The picture, taken at the scene by a witness, Niall Harbinson shows the R Series stopped on Cork Hill out side City Hall.  A taxi driver who came across the accident said that the truck driver was so traumatised by the incident that he had to be sedated by ambulance men at the scene. It is reported that the accident took place at 07.00 on Saturday morning the 17th May Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact Pearse St Garda station on 01 6669000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.  

While the picture of a HGV overturned by a force eight gale
is uncommon, it is none the less a most dangerous predicament to find yourself
in as a driver. What may be overlooked in such conditions are the near misses.
When a vehicle is blown off course or a trailer is blown out of line with the
tractor unit. Such incidents could be the cause of other vehicles being forced
off the road or forced into the path of other vehicles. Driving in such poor
weather conditions need to be managed by regulation in order to safeguard all
road users. One group who are at serious risk of danger when travailing near
HGV’s in poor weather conditions are cyclists.

Professional drivers would expect that the Health & Safety
Authority, the Road Safety Authority and the Department of Transport would act
and draw up a set of guidelines and regulations to ensure that professional drivers
can safely and without fear of recrimination from employers pull over their vehicles
when weather conditions reach a set limit or when the Meteorological Office
issues with a warning for HGV’s. For the responsibility to be borne by the
driver to know when not to drive a HGV in dangerous weather conditions is
unreasonable, unworkable, extremely dangerous and grossly unfair.

Like all workers Professional Drivers are entitled to receive
the protection of the HSA to ensure that their work place is protected and that
they are not exposed to dangers that they are not trained to deal with or
trained to identify when conditions are unsafe to work in.

Dropping a trailer on the road could have very serious consequences for the driver, other road users and to the road transport industry. While the media see the recent accident outside James Gate as a novelty event, say it was a tanker with 40,000 litres of highly flammable liquid, what then would the headline read?  
Drivers have to have complete trust in the 5th wheel  coupling and the industry must have complete faith in the driver checking that the trailer is properly connected after hitching up.  
We don’t know for certain what happened to this driver but many of us know what could have happened. lets have a look at some possibilities…….

Drivers Lorcan Regan (20) Slawomir Kupiec (36) Krzysztof Sokolowski (33) admitted the offence and will spend two days behind bars and have their licences endorsed. 
 
This was a moment of madness carried out by three very misguided drivers. In the video one can see that the three trucks racing three abreast one on the hard shoulder one in the single lane and the other in the oncoming
lane, one can see why a member of the public would report this and why a judger would take such a serious view of the event.

15th August 2013
Cyclist loses life in accident with Superquinn Truck in Dublin
A tragic accident this morning has cost the life of a young cyclist in
Dublin.  A truck delivering for Superquinn operated by Wincanton was
involved. The circumstances surrounding the accident are not yet clear.
Members of the  EPDA would like to send out their deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of the young woman. Read more