Published: 17/03/10
The South Gloucestershire Council is making news lately, and it's all good news for HGV operators. Recently, the council accepted a proposal for HGV drivers to be able to use the High Occupancy Vehicle lane (or HOV lane) on the Avon Ring Road, A4174.
The Road Haulage Association (or RHA) requested that HGVs be allowed to drive in the lane and the request was initially refused. However when plans were put in place to extend the length of the lane, the association again submitted a request that HGV operators be allowed to utilise the lane, their argument being that the drivers had no choice but to deliver goods during the morning peak hour – using the lane would only be for the good of the general driving public, and hence should be permitted.
The fact that HGVs are essentially 'buses for freight' determined their need to drive in the HOV lane. This will mean drivers don't need to rush to make deliveries, and hopefully drive down premiums as speeding and dangerous driving will decrease.
HGV insurance premiums could go up or down, though, as the council gives the ring road a spruce up this month. Rubbish will be cleaned from the roadside, meaning decreased risks of accidents and vehicle damage as cars and trucks hurtle down the lanes. It will run for three weeks, and in conjunction with the Police the council will run a blitz on litterers – including HGV and other lorry drivers that do not secure their loads correctly, which contributes to the rubbish problem.
With one haulage company recently being fined £3520 for an unsecured load causing a litter problem, HGV insurance premiums could actually increase as a fine and conviction could cause problems for drivers wanting insurance cover.
Flint Insurance are HGV insurance specialists. Get an instant online HGV insurance quote or call 0800 021 4503 for further details.
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