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RSA advises on road to commercial safety

As the owner or user of a commercial vehicle, the last thing you need is the vehicle breaking down or being delayed or impounded because it is deemed defective at a roadside check.

Owners of larger commercial vehicles or trailers with a design gross vehicle weight exceeding 3,500 kg or a bus with 8 seats or more, are duty bound to ensure that the vehicle is subject to regular inspections and maintenance and repairs to rectify defects relating to the vehicle are carried out by a person who has the necessary skills and qualifications, The Road Safety Authority has warned
Owners must always make sure that your vehicles are roadworthy and safe.

The new Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness)(Vehicle Maintenance and Repair) Regulations 2013 require vehicle owners to:

i. develop and put in place systems for the regular inspection and maintenance of vehicles;
ii. ensure that the frequency of inspections and maintenance takes into account factors including age, mileage and condition, wear and tear and manufacturer’s guidelines
iii. arrange that inspections, maintenance and repairs are carried out by a person who is a suitably qualified person;
iv. put in place driver daily walk-around checks and reporting arrangements; and
v. retain documentation concerning the repair and maintenance of vehicles for two years for inspection by an authorised officer.

Videos on Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Reform Programme

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has produced three information videos on the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Reform Programme which are available
on www.cvrt.ie or http://www.youtube.com/rsaireland
Video 1 will provide you with a general overview of the reforms and tell you about the important changes to the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test system.
Video 2 will highlight the changes that are taking place for anyone who owns or operates a commercial vehicle or fleet, why these changes are important and what owners and operators of commercial vehicles are required to do as a result.
Video 3 video is aimed at owners and operators of commercial vehicles and will provide a more in-depth overview of the changes to the system.

A properly maintained vehicle has lower operating costs than a poorly maintained vehicle. If a vehicle is running poorly, it is prone to costly breakdowns, higher fuel cost, driver complaints, delays at roadside checks as well as creating an adverse image for you and your business. Apart from the road safety benefits from safer vehicles, implementing proper maintenance systems has several advantages for vehicle owners not least maximum vehicle availability, longer vehicle life-span and increased residual value when the vehicle is being sold-on.

For further information please see www.CVRT.ie