Public inquiries conducted by the Traffic Commissioner are a
valuable tool for operators of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and public service
vehicles (PSVs). They provide an opportunity for operators to learn how to
improve their compliance with regulations, manage their fleets and workforces
more effectively, and build a stronger safety culture.
How Public Inquiries Can Help Operators Improve Compliance
Public inquiries can help operators improve compliance in a
number of ways. First, they provide an opportunity for operators to learn about
the regulations that apply to their businesses. The traffic commissioner will
ask tough questions about the operator's compliance with regulations, and
operators will have the opportunity to explain their practices and procedures.
This can help operators identify areas where they need to improve their
compliance. This may mean that the operator themselves gets better training in
areas where there is deficiency or may use external help from consultants such
as the FTC.
Second, public inquiries can help operators develop a better
understanding of the risks associated with non-compliance. The traffic
commissioner will discuss the potential consequences of non-compliance, such as
curtailment, penalties, and even the loss of an operator's license. This can
help operators make better decisions about how to manage their businesses in
order to avoid non-compliance, which can have major impact operationally and
financially.
Third, public inquiries can help operators develop a more
proactive approach to compliance. By learning about the risks associated with
non-compliance and developing a better understanding of the regulations,
operators can take steps to prevent non-compliance from happening in the first
place.
How Public Inquiries Can Help Operators Improve Their Fleet
and Workforce Management
Public inquiries can also help operators improve their fleet
and workforce management. The traffic commissioner will ask questions about the
operator's fleet management practices, such as how they maintain their vehicles
and how they hire and train their drivers. This can help operators identify
areas where they can improve their fleet management practices.
The traffic commissioner will also ask questions about the
operator's workforce management practices, such as how they monitor driver
fatigue and how they deal with driver misconduct. This can help operators
identify areas where they can improve their workforce management practices.
How Public Inquiries Can Help Operators Build a Stronger
Safety Culture
Public inquiries can also help operators build a stronger
safety culture. The traffic commissioner will ask questions about the
operator's safety culture, such as how they communicate safety information to
their employees and how they investigate accidents. This can help operators
identify areas where they can improve their safety culture.
How Public Inquiries Can Help Operators Save Money
Public inquiries can also help operators save money. By
improving their compliance, fleet and workforce management, and safety culture,
operators can reduce the risk of accidents, fines, penalties, and other costs
associated with non-compliance, but most importantly the PMI regime can support
the management of unplanned breakdown and maintenance of HGVs, which can ensure
that are more on the road and less parked up waiting for parts and repairs.
Conclusion
Public inquiries conducted by the Traffic Commissioner are a
valuable tool for operators of HGVs and PSVs. They provide an opportunity for
operators to learn how to improve their compliance with regulations, manage
their fleets and workforces more effectively, and build a stronger safety
culture. This can lead to improved customer service, reduced costs, and a
better reputation for the operator.
In essence it is all based on as the approach of the
operator, if the operator simply sees the PI as a beat-up stick, then that’s all
they will get from this experience, but if they see this as a wake-up call that
alerts them to the compliance failing in their organisation, then they will definitely
wake-up and deal with the challenges that it will inevitably throw at them.
