UK TRANSPORT ROADSHOW
A UK transport “roadshow” to educate thousands of the country’s professional drivers about drink driving has visited Cardiff.
A total of 190 bus and coach operators from the Hull area attended the two day event at the New House Country Hotel in Cardiff.
Telford Training Consultants, with more than 45 trainers, are training freight owners and managers of coach, bus and lorry operations at 25 UK venues.
TTC Road Safety Manager Colin Pettener said: “Educated motorists make better drivers which contributes towards our aim of reducing deaths and injuries on our roads.
“A consistent message on alcohol and especially the problems of the morning after are going out to transport professionals so that they are aware of the pitfalls and dangers caused by drinking and driving.
“Many people who attend our drink drive classes after being convicted of an offence were caught the next morning unaware that their blood alcohol level was over the limit,” said Mr Pettener, whose organisation educates thousands of drivers each year in both the corporate and public sector.
“In Cardiff I showed how people are drinking more than they think by pouring red wine from a half pint beer glass into a large wine glass. It didn’t overspill.
“It was in a glass that appeared to look smaller but the amount of alcohol which people are drinking, would put many over the drink drive limit. People are also caught out the morning after thinking they are free of alcohol when it is still in their system.”
The demonstration in Cardiff also showed a film of an LGV driver speeding past a school.
It was also stressed to companies that they should have a written alcohol and drugs policy for the workplace.
The UK Traffic Commissioners called in the TTC Group - the UK’s leading alcohol training organisation - to educate 4,000 LGV and Public Service Vehicle operators in a series of nationwide training sessions being held from Scotland to the Isle of Wight.
Chris Cooper, of the Vehicle Operators Service Agency (VOSA), who organised the Cardiff event on behalf of the Traffic Commissioners, said: “Drink driving is seen as a very important issue by both the Traffic Commissioners and the operators.”
For more information about corporate driving courses contact the TTC Group, of Hadley Park, Telford, Shropshire, on 0845 270 4380 or visit www.ttc-uk.com
