Lucketts Travel has been recognised on the national stage for its vital role in early trials of a scheme that will revolutionise road safety.
The Hampshire firm, a longstanding client of Lee Peck Media, was applauded by the DVSA as it officially launched the Earned Recognition scheme at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham.
DVSA Earned Recognition for vehicle operators is a new way for organisations with lorries, buses and coaches to prove they meet driver and vehicle standards.
These operators regularly share performance information with DVSA. In return, their vehicles are much less likely to be stopped for inspections, freeing up the agency’s examiners to target the most dangerous lorry, bus and coach operators and drivers.
Lucketts was the first coach operator in the UK to be asked to join the pilot, which also saw the likes of John Lewis, BT and Sainsburys take part.
Now, with the scheme officially launched, Lucketts has been recognised for the part it played in the early pilot scheme by formally being granted Founder Member status.
Managing director Tony Lawman said: “Earned recognition has the potential to revolutionise the way the DVSA carries out its checks, freeing up examiners’ time to target dangerous firms that, sadly, don’t set the same impeccable standards that we do. Importantly, it also has the potential to make the UK’s roads safer and we’re absolutely thrilled to have played a part in the trial.
“Our involvement from the outset is testament to the exacting standards and processes we’ve had in place for many years and how our team have embraced this as a tool to help manage our business.”
DVSA Chief Executive, Gareth Llewellyn, said: “DVSA’s priority is to protect you from unsafe drivers and vehicles. Earned recognition allows the best operators to go about their business unhindered, so we can target our activity at those most likely to be a danger to all road users.
“Even during the pilot, participating operators are already seeing the benefits. We’ve heard reports of improved relationships with drivers, better processes and recognition from customers. If you’re an operator and you take compliance and safety seriously, we hope that earned recognition is something you’ll aspire to.”
David Wells, CEO, Freight Transport Association, said: “The introduction of earned recognition will give a welcome boost to compliant operators across the UK’s road fleet, enabling them to focus on keeping Britain trading both at home and internationally, without lengthy administrative delays.
“DVSA will now be able to target its valuable roadside enforcement teams at those who jeopardise all other road users, while rewarding those who have exemplary records. FTA’s members are committed to improving standards and see earned recognition as a key driver in accelerating compliance and driving up performance right across the logistics sector.”
To find out more about Lucketts and how it maintains all of its coaches in-house visit www.lucketts.co.uk