As part of the ongoing CEMEX driver training programme the company tipper drivers in Yorkshire and North East of England have now all completed the Safe Urban Driving Course – delivered by Fleet Source. Following half a day in the classroom, candidates are then able to gain some valuable experience of life through a cyclist’s eyes interacting with live traffic in the town centre.
Not only is the course very important from a safety point of view but also counts as a module for a driver in the next 5 year Driver CPC programme.
Mark Mann, David Wilkinson, Carl Barker, Kenny Head and Lead Driver, Lukasz Leibrandt, were all chosen to evaluate and feedback on the first session. Feedback was excellent with all drivers agreeing that the course “Was a real eye opener” and although the drivers agreed they give cyclists adequate room when driving their trucks and sharing the road it can still feel intimidating at times on a cycle. The drivers also added it was an “enjoyable training session that all drivers should undertake”.
One driver commented: “Not only was the day enjoyable I can now appreciate how vulnerable a cyclist really is out there”.
Area Logistics Manager, Ian Phoenix, commented: “I believe at CEMEX we are an Industry leader in Vulnerable Road User Safety and feel very proud of what has been achieved over the past few years. I am in no doubt we have prevented countless incidents by training drivers to a high standard and equipping our vehicles with the latest technology. Thanks to all the drivers who attended the courses and feel it’s another important step in the journey to ZERO incidents for life”.
What is Safe Urban Driving?
The Safe Urban Driving Course focuses on driving in city and towns and vulnerable road users, including cyclists, and is the first accredited course in the UK to include practical on-road cycle training for drivers.
Vulnerable roads users include pedestrians and, in particular, children and the elderly, who can either dash into the road unexpectedly or have difficulty hearing or seeing traffic or have mobility issues. Motorcyclists and cyclists are also very vulnerable and are most at risk at junctions as they can be difficult to see.
The Safe Urban Driving Course provides a driver with the knowledge, skills and defensive driving techniques to deal with the ever increasing challenges of driving within the busy urban environment.
The course also introduces various technologies that are available to raise awareness of the presence of vulnerable road users and help drivers avoid incidents. Attending a Safe Urban Driving Course is also a mandatory requirement under the recently published ‘Standard for construction logistics: managing Work Related Road Risk (WRRR)’ and attending the course can also count towards the 35 hours DCPC that professional drivers need to complete.