The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has organised a series of briefing events at locations throughout the UK in order to support and advise its members on managing lorry drivers this spring.

The responsibilities involved in managing lorry drivers continue to become increasingly important and complicated, according to the FTA. Failure to ensure that these responsibilities are carried out correctly could have unwelcome consequences regarding health and safety, insurance, fleet management and vehicle condition. From 2009, new regulations will require lorry drivers to undertake an ongoing training process in order to qualify for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).

The meetings will look at driver license checks, vehicle defect checks, drivers’ hours instructions, and general aspects of managing driver competence. The meetings will also look at the necessary content of the continuing training, how to organise it and who will provide it. Attendance at the events is limited to two delegates per company and is free of charge to members of FTA. The first of the series of 14 meetings start on March 17 in Southampton and end in Cambridge on April 15.