Member Article

Northgate keep North East drivers safe this winter

The UK’s leader in the provision of light commercial vehicle hire and associated fleet solutions, Northgate Vehicle Hire, has teamed up with the Freight Transport Association’s scheme Van Excellence to deliver a four-month long winter safety campaign to keep Britain’s road users safe.

Northgate Vehicle Hire, which has its head office in Darlington and branches in ICI Wilton, North Shields, Blaydon and Stockton, and Van Excellence have teamed up to produce life saving tips for road users as the weather worsens and the dark winter nights continue. With a few months of dark nights left ahead of us and the shortest day occurring in December, the first stage of the campaign focuses on road safety whilst driving in the dark. With over 40% of road collisions occurring at night, Northgate Vehicle Hire is urging North East road users to be extra vigilant this winter, and follow six simple top tips for keeping safe.

Van Excellence is a scheme created by the FTA in response to the demand for an independent standards committee focused on raising standards throughout the industry and recognising excellence. Northgate was recognised as an official Van Excellence partner earlier this year for its safe, efficient and sustainable operation.

Colin Gilstin, Group Safety & Environment Manager at Northgate Vehicle Hire, commented: “As the nights are drawing in, now is the perfect time to remind road users of the simple steps they can take to avoid accidents this winter. It seems absurd that when there are fewer vehicles on the road, nearly half of all road collisions occur. By following our six step guide, road users can reduce the risk of an accident.”

Northgate’s six-step guide

1. Be extra vigilant for vulnerable road users It is important to be prepared and aware at all times. Reduced visibility makes it harder to see pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists.

2. Check your headlights Be careful not to place headlights too high and dazzle other road users. Regular checks are key to ensure that headlights are free from dirt and grease, making sure they are doing their job correctly.

3. Watch out for animals Seeing tiny dots ahead could be your headlights reflecting in an animal’s eyes, so it’s important to slow down in case you need to bring your vehicle to a sudden halt. Deer tend to follow lights, so it’s important not to swerve around them as this may cause them to jump in front of the vehicle.

4. Be courteous with your high beam Be sure to remember to switch back your regular lights as soon as you see another driver coming towards you as dazzling lights can cause accidents.

5. Clean your windscreens Dirt on windscreens can often amplify glare at night, creating a visual hazard. Through keeping your windscreens clean you will ensure clear visibility.

6. Stop if you’re tired Driving in the dark when you’re tired can pose the risk of drifting off to sleep at the wheel. Always stop for a rest if you’re feeling sleepy, or share the driving with a passenger to allow for naps on long journeys.

To keep up to date with Northgate Vehicle Hire and Van Excellence’s Winter Safety Campaign, please visit: http://www.northgatevehiclehire.co.uk/blog/category/winter-safety-campaign/.

Northgate Vehicle Hire has sites across 72 locations in the UK & Ireland, with its head office in Darlington, whilst Van Monster has eleven sites across the UK and Ireland. For further information on Northgate please visit www.northgatevehiclehire.co.uk or follow the company on Twitter at twitter.com/northgatevhire.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Savage .