The capacity of any fleet to effectively do the tasks intended is the responsibility of everyone working in that organisation. Everyone from the top down has to be involved otherwise standard operating procedures are never followed. Consider it as a wedge if you like. At the sharp end of the wedge there’s the vehicle. … [Read more...]
RSA.ie – Duty of Care to Drivers
RSA.ie - What the laws say.While drivers are responsible for how they drive, you as an employer have duties in helping to make driving for work safer. Three sets of laws influence driving for work in Ireland:Road Traffic Laws: the Road Traffic Act 1961 and its later amendments influence driving on public roads in Ireland. The Gardai, sometimes in collaboration with the HSA, are responsible for enforcing road traffic laws and investigating collisions and fatalities. Health & … [Read more...]
Test of crash helmets available in Uganda
Not all helmets are the same. First two helmets are bought from the general market place. The blue one is the most common one to be worn as it is the cheapest! … [Read more...]
Observations on Fleet Operation in Harsh /Hostile Environments
By the nature of their work humanitarian agencies are more than likely to be working in insecure and remote areas with limited resources to safely operate their fleets. However, in my experience, the majority of these agencies do not put into place correct systems and procedures for maintenance and safe operation of their vehicles to counter this. … [Read more...]
OnCourse and Carbon Neutrality
Good fleet management will have an overall effect of reducing fuel costs. We deal with the driver issue. This is one the major area where organisations can safe fuel, therefore reducing costs and harmful emissions.Recently OnCourse decided that we would take our responsibility one step further and look at becoming officially Carbon Neutral.At first glance it all seemed pretty straight forward; we would need an audit doing by a qualified company, which does exist in Uganda.After the … [Read more...]
DRIVER TRAINING – the last 10 years.
10 years ago we started providing driver training. At the time we were running a repair shop in Kampala. We noticed that some of our customers’ vehicles were getting damaged, some severely so, and had an increase in wear and tear due to improper driving/misunderstanding of 4wd vehicles. … [Read more...]
Vehicle Emissions in Africa
With the number of vehicles hitting the road, ever on the increase, a concern over the vehicle emission levels which some of these smoke billowing vehicles cause, is a major concern.However, we have to face the fact, vehicles using the internal combustion engine, as a main source of power, are going to be around for a long time. Too many powerful countries and companies have a vested interest in keeping the status quo. … [Read more...]
Keeping 4wds Simple for Harsh Environments
Electronically ChallengedDuring my apprentice days, I came across the KISS principle. You found out what this meant as soon as you tried to offer up a complicated solution to a problem and met with the answer, "K(eep) I(t) S(imple) S(tupid)!" … [Read more...]
Do I Need to Buy a 4wd for Uganda?
Do I need a 4wd for Uganda?It depends on what you intend to do. If you are based in Kampala and only going on safari once a year then a two wheel drive vehicle will suffice. You can always hire out a 4wd. The main roads in Kampala are mostly tarmac although can be pot holed. … [Read more...]
Learning How to Drive a 4wd the Hard Way
Back in 1995 I was given a Land Rover to drive as part of my job escorting and supporting trucks taking food relief into Southern Sudan. The roads and conditions were extremely poor to say the least. The trucks, although 6x6 ex military AEC, were having a problem getting through especially in the rainy season. … [Read more...]