
We made a request to police to provide statistics for speeding amongst heavy vehicle drivers. It’s much less likely that a truck driver will be breaking the speed limit than a car driver, but 2185 infringement notices were issued in…
Truck and trailer rollovers are caused by combinations of: Too much speed into a corner Changing direction too quickly Turning too quickly Collapse of a bank Strong winds Tyre failure Live loads or insecure loads shifting Loads loaded with the…
An electric vehicle is missing the complex engine and gearbox that’s required in a petrol- or diesel-powered vehicle. Electric motors are much simpler, and don’t require the maintenance. Consequently, servicing is cheaper and less frequent, which partially offsets the premium…
A diesel particulate diffuser, or DPD, is an emission control device used in diesel engines to reduce the amount of particulate matter (PM) emissions released into the atmosphere – they lower exhaust emissions. They’re also called DPF (diesel particulate filter).…
While electric vehicles are incentivised by governments as being ‘clean’, there’s still a carbon footprint associated with their production and operation. All vehicles create some kind of pollution or negative effect on the environment. Here’s how. Air pollution Even electric…
A vehicle’s ability to tow requires four things: Enough spare engine torque to pull the load without, for example, running out of steam on a hill Enough braking power to cope with the extra weight of the trailer The ability…
A water source is critical for your freedom to roam the countryside in a campervan. The more water you have, the longer you can be in the wilderness without having to find a source. You can purchase generic kits for…
Sitting in the same position for a long period of time is a recipe for aches and pains, particularly in your back, hips, neck and shoulders. Setting your seat and steering wheel correctly can help minimise the risk that you’ll…
Being blind in one eye means you have monocular vision. This makes it much more difficult to: Judge depth (3D vision) – this is worse within around 10 metres of the vehicle, which makes parking an issue Judge the speed…
Around ten thousand people a year have a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (a mini-stroke) every year. A stroke can be caused by a blockage, such as a blood clot, stopping blood flow to part of the brain, or…
Cars have had rear view mirrors made of glass since at least the 1920s, so after 100 years, it looks natural for a car to have these reflective appendages sticking out the side. However, given that camera and screen technology…
Some chemicals need to be placarded for both a primary and subsidiary risk. Both the primary and subsidiary risks must be considered when segregating incompatible dangerous goods, unless they are gas bottles being transported using appropriate equipment, in which case…
EVs are more susceptible to changes in battery performance based on the ambient temperature than petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles. Lithium batteries are positively affected by warmish weather, but negatively affected by extreme heat and cold. When the temperature drops below…
Electronic variable speed limit signs are legal and enforceable. They can be established to temporarily restrict the speed due to road works, weather, an accident, a hazard such as a slip, heavy traffic or a temporary event like a concert.…
The legislation says that you must enter time worked, and that you must only keep one logbook. Issues are cropping up where companies are paying drivers using accounting systems that pay directly from their electronic logbook. However, if a person…
If you’re in the market to purchase an excavator, you’ll need to understand the factors that influence the price so that you can determine whether you are getting a good deal or not. An excavator can have a hard life…
Part of a pre-start inspection training involves learning how to check the inside of the truck cab for things that might cause an issue during the trip. Having a clean, tidy, functioning cab is important to help maintain alertness, reduce…