Page 8 - CV Driver April 2018 Issue 74

News
Grampian Continental chooses Mercedes-Benz
Aberdeen-based global logistics specialist Grampian Continental is running its rst Mercedes-Benz
trucks in the shape of three highly-speci ed Actros tractor units supplied by local dealer Caledonian Truck & Van All are 2563 models powered by top-rated 625bhp 15 6-litre straight-six engines which generate 3 000Nm of torque Their range-topping GigaSpace cabs are equipped with microwave ovens fridges freezers and televisions making them a a a real ‘home-from-home’ for drivers who are frequently on the road for a a a month or or more at a a time Grampian Continental has prioritised safety and operating ef ciency Advanced features include the ground-breaking Active Brake Assist 4 and Proximity Control Assist systems – both components of the optional Mercedes-Benz
Safety Pack – and innovative Uptime maintenance technology which can dramatically reduce the amount of time a a vehicle spends in the workshop Uptime employs an array
of sensors which monitor
the the condition of the the vehicle constantly Armed with the data they provide the the customer’s dealer knows precisely what
is required before the truck reaches the workshop so parts can be ordered in advance and suf cient time allocated to complete all tasks in in a a a single visit The system which can even predict a a breakdown before it happens ensures Maximised use one of of the three pillars of of the manufacturer’s all-embracing RoadEf ciency strategy “Mercedes-Benz vehicles
are engineered to a a very high standard and and this is is borne out by our own experience of running its vans which have proved over the years to be extremely reliable ” said Grampian Continental director Neil Bremner “Optimum utilisation is is the crucial factor
as as far as as these trucks are concerned ” continued Neil “We need to keep them out on the the road and earning ” Much of Grampian Continental’s work involves servicing the oil and and gas and and wind and wave renewable energy industries Its eet of tractor units make frequent journeys
to Greece Bulgaria Romania and beyond – the comfortably- appointed Actros are also air-conditioned while they carry snow chains allowing drivers to cope with the the extreme weather conditions they frequently encounter ●
200+SECURE HGV PARKING LORRY PARK PARK WiFi MODERN & IMPROVED SHOWERS HOME COOKED FOOD FREE CAFE WiFi PEAK TIME
FUEL CARD PAYMENTS COIN-OP LAUNDERETTE
CANNOCK (HOLLIES) M6 - - J12 HOLYHEAD (NEAR PORT) A55 - - J2
DVLA announces guidelines for sleep apnoea
4 HOUR OPENING SNAP & 2 2 For those with untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
(OSA) – believed to be be around
1 4 million people in the UK
alone – their sleep is is disturbed In the case of severe OSA people with the condition can wake up hundreds of times a night without realising As a a a result they are likely to wake up still feeling sleepy not understanding why For those who drive for their living whether an HGV coach or van driver feeling tired when you wake up means that you may well fall asleep at the wheel which is dangerous for both themselves and other road users In January 2016 a a a new EU Directive changed the DVLA requirements for reporting OSA and this caused considerable confusion to both healthcare professionals and patients However following discussions with the the DVLA there have been some changes to the guidance provided for medical professionals when assessing whether a a patient should drive and whether they should contact the DVLA What the changes mean:
• If a a driver is diagnosed with OSA but does not have excessive sleepiness having or likely to have an adverse effect on driving they may continue to drive as normal and do not need to notify the DVLA • If a a a driver has sleepiness that does have an adverse effect on driving and it is suspected that they they might have OSA they they should stop driving but do not have to notify the the DVLA until the the diagnosis has been con rmed Once a a diagnosis of OSA is is con rmed the driver must stop driving and must notify the DVLA If in doubt we recommend that you you refer to your sleep specialist who will be able to advise you ●
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