Hireco drives initiative on safer mobile phone use by lorry drivers

Belfast based truck and trailer rental company Hireco, has launched a new initiative which is being supported by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, to prevent road traffic collisions caused by drivers using mobile phones.
Inspector Rosie Leech from the PSNI Roads Policing Unit pictured with Ricky Graham, operations director with Hireco NIInspector Rosie Leech from the PSNI Roads Policing Unit pictured with Ricky Graham, operations director with Hireco NI
Inspector Rosie Leech from the PSNI Roads Policing Unit pictured with Ricky Graham, operations director with Hireco NI

Hireco, which has more than 5,000 trucks and trailers on the road across the UK has made a significant investment to install a ‘hands free’ kit into each of the units it sells/rents over the course of the next 12 months at its own expense.

The move comes after the Hireco management became increasingly concerned at the use of mobile phones by haulage drivers across the UK.

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“Our customers often point out their concerns and we’ve been trying to come up with a way of alleviating the problem in any way we can,” said Ricky Graham of Hireco.

“As a result, we have decided, at our own expense, to offer a hands free kit to any of our customers’ driver who rent a truck or trailer over the course of the next 12 months.

“The fitted kits will be paired to the drivers’ personal mobiles and at least then they can take calls without taking their eyes off the road.”

Hireco approached the PSNI earlier this year and have been delighted at the support they have received.

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Inspector Rosie Leech of PSNI Roads Policing said: “Drivers who use a mobile phone are four times more likely to crash, injuring or killing themselves and other people.

“If that driver is in charge of a lorry, weighing upwards of ten tonnes, the chances of major loss of life, if a driver is distracted, increases dramatically. So we are particularly pleased to support Hireco’s initiative, and thank them for bringing the leadership of the haulage industry together so that we can discuss this issue and identify how we can all work together to stop it.”

Seamus Lehany of the Freight Transport Association said hauliers welcomed the chance to discuss the issue with the PSNI

“FTA are delighted with this proactive road safety event devised by Hireco with the aim of reducing the use of mobile phones by vocational drivers while driving. This not only has road safety benefits but will help manage compliance for fleet operators.”