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OCTOBER 2020 | 39
Motoring
LOGISTICS UK ’ S VAN OPERATIONAL BRIEFING GOES VIRTUAL FOR 2020
FOUR REASONS BEHIND THE UK AND EUROPEAN ROAD DIFFERENCES
It ’ s been revealed that Ford ’ s The Model T car may be the reason that British and European drivers follow different road rules . Widely recognised as the first car , The Model T was designed to be driven on the right-hand side of the road , meaning countries without road rules or a large road system made their roads fit the car .
However , in Britain , cities had been designed to accommodate left hand turning meaning it would be difficult to switch sides .
A spokesperson for StressFreeCarRental . com said : “ There are many differences between our road rules and those we need to follow when in Europe , but often these differences aren ’ t questioned . We have our ancestors to thank for some of the differences , but also the difference in culture and governing .”
1 . Side of the road
The main difference when driving in Europe is that you drive on the right side of the road , as opposed to the left side of the road when in Britain . There are many schools of thinking about why this may be , but it ’ s thought we drive on the left due to London being designed to accommodate left-hand driving . Europeans may have been influenced by what many consider to be the first car , The Model T , which was designed with the driver on the left meaning it should be driven on the right-hand side of the road .
2 . Driver ’ s position
Where the driver is sitting changes due to the side of the road which is driven . Front passengers should always be on the side closest to the pavement when the car is moving meaning passengers in both the front and back can exit onto the curb – as was done on the Model T . It can be assumed that in the interest of safety the same rules still apply now .
3 . Speed
Speed is measured in miles per hour ( mph ) when in Britain and this changes to kilometres per hour ( km / h ) when in Europe . It seems that it ’ s a hangover here in Britain from when we went from imperial to metric units – we ’ re the only country in Europe to measure speed by mph .
4 . Motorways
Whereas in the UK the fast lanes are the inner lanes on the right and you also overtake to the right , the is reversed in Europe . The fast lanes are those on the left , meaning you need to check your mirrors and indicate left when you want to overtake . This is not the only difference , with German autobahns famously having no speed limit . This has been put down to a gentlemen ’ s agreement between the German government and car producers . If the producers limited their cars to 250km / h the speed limit would be removed .
Logistics UK ’ s Van Operational Briefing returns for 2020 , providing operators with the essential information they need to run their fleets safety , efficiently and legally , in a slightly different format . This year , the briefing will take place as a virtual event to be held on 6 November 2020 , using state-of-art online conference , exhibition and networking technology to create an engaging , immersive experience that delegates can enjoy from home or work .
Topics to be covered include van security , enforcement and trailer safety , fleet electrification , and recent developments on urban restrictions , such as the latest information on air quality schemes . Logistics UK ’ s Member Advice Centre ( MAC ) team will also be discussing how drivers ’ hours and tachographs affect van operations both now , and in the future .
Natalie Chapman , Head of Urban Policy at Logistics UK , comments : “ There are more than four million vans on Britain ’ s roads , and no matter the size of a fleet , safety , efficiency and compliance is of vital importance to any operator . With a detailed programme covering everything from vehicle security to the clean air agenda , Logistics UK ’ s 2020 Van Operational Briefing will provide delegates with the most upto-date information on key topical issues as well as presenting multiple networking opportunities . And , by employing state-of-the-art virtual conference technology , delegates can enjoy the experience from the comfort of home or work .”
The Van Operational Briefing will also offer delegates the opportunity to engage with leading logistics industry suppliers online in the Exhibition Hall . Visitors will be able to download brochures , thought leadership content and whitepapers showcasing the latest technical innovations ; they are also free to ask exhibitors questions via live text or video chat .
Sponsored by AA , Bott Ltd , Brigade Electronics , Hertz UK , Lex Autolease , Quartix and TVL , this is a not-tobe-missed event . The programme is subject to change with new sessions to be announced shortly . Places at Logistics UK ’ s Van Operational Briefings can be booked for £ 75 + VAT per person and is open to both members and non-members . Secure your place today by visiting logistics . org . uk / vob or by calling 03717 11 22 22 .
Logistics UK ( formerly FTA ) supports , shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics , and is the only business group which represents the whole industry , with members from the road , rail , sea and air industries , as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods .
For more information about the organisation and its work , including its ground-breaking research into the impacts of COVID-19 on the whole supply chain , please visit logistics . org . uk