Fleet Source introduces a pioneering Driver CPC course to help hauliers avoid fines for carrying stowaways.
- The CEASE course is the first of its kind and focuses on educating drivers about stowaway risks and vehicle security.
- Significant financial penalties have been enforced for operators and drivers found with clandestine entrants.
- The course emphasizes security checks and personal safety to mitigate these risks.
- Hauliers are compelled to update training due to insufficient government guidelines despite mandatory training requirements.
The newly developed CEASE course by Fleet Source serves as a crucial educational tool for haulage operators and drivers. By focusing on the threats posed by stowaways hiding in trucks, the course aims to prevent heavy fines that attendants might face. This course is particularly unique as it is the first Driver CPC accredited programme concentrated explicitly on this issue.
Significant attention within the course is dedicated to understanding the methods used by clandestine entrants to infiltrate vehicles. Drivers are educated on maintaining tight security checks and ensuring the personal safety of both themselves and their cargo. This proactive knowledge becomes vital as fines for having stowaways can escalate to £10,000 per entrant, or £6,000 if the vehicle’s security is compromised.
These fines are illustrative of the harsh penalties currently in place. Despite these regulations, the course addresses a critical gap: the lack of detailed government guidance on the mandatory training operators must undergo. According to Nick Caesari, Chief Executive of Fleet Source, each year sees approximately 8,500 individuals entering the UK illegally using road transport, a figure likely underestimated due to checks by Border Force on vehicles not being exhaustive.
Stressing on the importance of vehicle inspections and security, the course empowers drivers. This empowerment is significant, given the hostile situations drivers might encounter, including threats or attacks from desperate stowaways. Fleet Source’s initiative seeks to mitigate these dangerous scenarios while aligning with the mandates of the Border Force civil penalty scheme.
The ongoing concerns regarding these penalties have been highlighted by the Road Haulage Association (RHA), which has raised its objections with the border authorities. Further, Laura Hadzik, a legal head specialising in commercial road transport, contributes to an independent review assessing the impacts of current penalties on operators and drivers.
Collectively, these efforts aim to fortify driver safety and compliance, minimising the risk of penalties through comprehensive education.
