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Red Alert for Overweight Vehicles
A groundbreaking vehicle tracking and weighing system is set to help fleet operators avoid running foul of hefty VOSA (Vehicle & Operator Services Agency) fines for overweight vehicles.
Vehicle tracking specialists Navman Wireless Business Solutions has joined forces with on-board weighing systems specialist Red Forge Limited, to offer employers automatic alerts when their vehicles become overloaded.
If a vehicle exceeds its weight limit, the unique system will trigger an automatic alert in the driver's cab, and simultaneously send an alert message to the employer's office PC or mobile phone.
Raw data from the Red Forge on-board weighing system is processed and transmitted to the employer via Navman's cutting-edge wireless technology. The integrated system is suitable for both light and heavy goods vehicles.
The co-creators of the system are confident it will help companies avoid the major fines and lost time associated with overweight vehicles. In 2005, VOSA stopped and checked 57,526 commercial vehicles, of which 21% of LGV's (Light Goods Vehicles) were prohibited for overloading.
Penalties can range from a £5,000 fine for each overloaded axle, to licence revocations and criminal prosecution for both driver and responsible company personnel in severe cases. In addition, as overloading is illegal, insurance can become void if a vehicle is involved in a crash.
Iain Moody, Senior Sales Engineer for Red Forge Limited said: "This technology provides a crucial safety net for companies operating vehicle fleets. Ensuring that a vehicle is safe to drive is the joint responsibility of the driver and the employer. This system simultaneously alerts both parties when a vehicle exceeds its weight limit, so that corrective action can be taken."
He added: "We had been aware of Navman's innovations in vehicle tracking technology for some time, and were keen to work with them. By pooling our expertise, we've been able to create a product that meets a genuine industry need. We're confident it will be welcomed by many companies with a mobile workforce."
Tony Neill, Vice President Europe, Middle East and Africa at Navman Wireless Business Solutions said: "We are very excited about the possibilities of this system. Our focus is on providing companies with real-time information, so they can manage their fleets more effectively. Thanks to our partnership with Red Forge, we can now expand that flow of vital information to include overweight vehicle alerts.
"Enforcement of the regulations governing vehicle loads is becoming ever more rigorous, and drivers and their employers recognise that they simply cannot afford to flout the rules. A £5,000 fine for each overloaded axle can quickly add up to a £20,000 penalty, plus significant time loss and the risk of even more serious action being taken. That's a costly mistake, and one we can now help companies avoid."