HOME ABOUT US CONTACT US PICTURE GALLERY     Week 32 2008 Breffni Truck Run a resounding success The Breffni Truck Run took place on Sunday through Co. Cavan on Sunday in aid of two worthy charities. More   Toll increases will impact on economy - Quinn The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has predicted that toll increases on the M50 motorway in Dublin, will impact on the whole economy, through dearer imports and exports. More Gray & Adams do the donkey work for Saywers Transport Gray & Adams' Newtownabbey depot recently undertook an unusual job for Sawyers Transport Ltd. More Changes to goods vehicle operator licensing in Northern Ireland Changes to Goods Vehicle Operator Licensing will be introduced in Northern Ireland from April 2011. More   Volvo celebrates 25 years of cutting-edge aerodynamic truck design The shape of things to come in the trucking industry was established 25 years ago in June 1983, when Volvo White Truck Corporation, now known as Volvo Trucks North America introduced the first aerodynamically styled heavy-duty conventional trucks. More Changes to UK HGV driving theory test Improving standards for professional drivers and increasing road safety in the UK mean that bus, coach and lorry drivers now have some additional theory test questions to answer. More   Illegal use of rebated diesel reaching endemic proportions - Quinn The Irish Road Haulage Association has claimed that the illegal use of rebated diesel in the unlicensed haulage sector has reached "endemic" proportions. More   Hotel guests get check up at check out over bank holiday weekend The Castle Court hotel in Westport, Co. Mayo will be handing out self-breathalyzer kits over the bank holiday weekend, in a bid to cut down on road fatalities. More   Dublin congestion charging not on agenda Dublin City Council has no plans to introduce London style congestion charging in the Capital, it has been revealed. More   Fitness to drive rules under review The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is considering new rules that would result in doctors having to inform licencing authorities of an illness or condition that could impair their patient's ability to drive. More   Mobile phone technology bid to save lives The Scottish Government is poised to use the latest mobile phone technology in a pioneering road safety initiative announced in Scotland. More   Economy and efficiency rive at the IAA Allison Transmission, the global provider of commercial duty automatic transmissions and hybrid propulsion systems, will use this year's IAA to highlight ways for operators and OEMs to increase efficiency and environmental performance through the use of a fully-automatic gearbox or hybrid powertrain. More Breffni Truck Run in aid of worthy charities The Breffni Truck Run takes place this Sunday, August 3, in aid of the Special Care baby unit at Cavan General Hospital and the Cavan / Monaghan branch of the Irish Kidney Association. More   TSS delivers on time for Superquinn With the growing demand for home delivery services Superquinn has commissioned a new fleet of vehicles for the Irish home delivery market. More North West Truckfest on the horizon Hauliers have been reminded that the North West Truckfest gets underway on Saturday August 23, in the grounds of Milford Mart, Milford, Co. Donegal. More   Starplan opts for Iveco Northern Ireland furniture manufacturer Starplan, which celebrates 30 years in business this year has completed a £400,000 deal for 11 Iveco 7.5 tonne EuroCargo lorries. More   eTrip Services acquires Eazy Pass eTrip Services Ireland, the parking and independent tolling fee collection service provider, has announced details of it's purchase of Eazy Pass Ltd. More Department of Transport publishes vehicle and driver statistics The Department of the Transport has published the Bulletin of Vehicle and Driver Statistics, 2007. More   VOSA receives new powers The Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA )in the UK has been given new powers to issue roadside fixed penalty notices against foreign lorry operators for a range of offences such as breaking driving hours, weight or vehicle safety regulations. More   Dail committee hits out over Dublin's traffic congestion A high powered Dail committee has hit out at state agencies over their failure to tackle crippling gridlock in the Capital The Oireachtas Committee on Transport has warned that there is a lack of urgency and co-ordination among official organisations charged with keeping the city moving. More   Low cost static storage units If you are in the market for low cost static storage units close to Dublin Port or the Airport, look no further than container storage specialists, Ever Ton Depot. More Motorists not getting the point on mobile phone ban Almost 500 motorists a month are having penalty points added to their licence for using their hand held mobile phones while driving. More   DVLA officers in North threatened Officers and civil servants working for the Driver and Licensing Authority (DVLA) in Northern Ireland have been allegedly threatened by dissident republicans. More   Bangor haulage company sponsors Portaferry 3 day race Bangor, Co. Down based haulage company, Curran Transport ahs confirmed its sponsorshop of this year's Portaferry 3 Day Stage race. More Open up Dublin Port Tunnel to buses - Transport Committee pleas The Oireachtais committee on Transport wants Dublin's Port Tunnel opened up to all buses to reduce increasing gridlock in the capital. More   Britain to target "offend and run" hauliers The British Government is poised to introduce a new suite of measures that will see foreign registered hauliers having their vehicles confiscated if they are caught breaking the rules of the road. More   Haulage insolvencies show four-fold increase The latest insolvency figures to be released by FGS show a dramatic increase in the number of corporate failure cases for the first half of 2008 compared to last year, according to financial advisory firm FGS. More   European Road freight sector under pressure The European road haulage industry is under pressure as never before, according to market analysts Market Watch. More   Dialacom introduces a state of the art tracking system At a time when diesel prices continue to soar at the pumps, hauliers, international companies and individuals are looking at ways of reducing costs. More MEPs agree Euro VI standards The European Parliament's Environment Committee has agreed Euro VI standards for heavy goods vehicles, which will apply from January 2013. More   IRU meets with French Transport Minister A high level delegation from the International Road Transport Union (IRU) has met with French Secretary of State in charge of Transport, Dominique Bussereau, who chairs the EU Transport Council of Ministers for the next six months. More Hanover truck show to break records The VDA, the German automotive industry trade association, which organises the IAA Hanover truck show, says the 2008 event will set records for the number of exhibitors, the amount exhibition space and number of countries represented. More   Truck makers want global standards Truck, bus and van makers are calling for more effective global standards, particularly for emissions. More   Dempsey rules out fuel tax cuts Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has ruled out the prospect of reducing excise duty on fuel, and advised hauliers that they should impose a fuel surcharges similar to that employed by the airline industry. More Hauliers advised to drive carefully as anti-speeding campaign gets underway Gardai plan another five two-day operations targeting speeding hauliers and single decker buses, hgvireland.com can confirm. More   Hauliers fly below Gatso radar Many hauliers are flying below the radar of the Gardai's Gatso speed cameras, because the equipment is only is only calibrated to detect vehicles doing in excess of 100 km per hour. More   ECO-Start on entire Sprinter range At a time when fuel prices continue to soar to record highs, LCV operators will be delighted to hear that ECO-Start, Mercedes Benz' fuel saving technology is now available on the entire Sprinter range as a factory fitted option. More FTA welcomes fuel duty U turn The Freight Transport Association (FTA) in Britain has welcomed the Government's decision to postpone proposed 2p per litre rise in fuel duty in October, but says it must be the first step in a major review of commercial vehicle taxation. More   German Transport Minister warns of traffic meltdown Germany is on the verge of a traffic meltdown, unless measures are taken to regulate heavy truck transportation, Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee has warned. More   Volkswagen receives approvals to acquire majority voting stake in Scania The Volkswagen Group has received the antitrust approvals necessary to acquire a majority voting stake in Swedish truck manufacturer Scania AB. More   UK to invest £6 billion in roads network The UK's Transport Minister Ruth Kelly has a £6 billion investment package to improve and make better use of England's motorways and other key roads. More   Gardai launch speeding blitz on hauliers Gardai are set to target speeding HGV's and single deck buses in nationwide campaign, which gets underway on Wednesday July 16. More   Oil distributor boasts fuel savings of up to six per cent At a time when diesel prices continue to soar at the pumps, hauliers are being advised that they can save up to six per cent of their monthly fuel bills, by using Q8 Oils' latest generation transmission and axle oils. More Up to 20 per cent of hauliers unlicensed - Rock Up to 20 per cent of hire for reward HGV operators working in Ireland are unlicensed, it has been revealed. More   RSA launches consultation process on use of agricultural vehicles The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has launched a consultation process that could lead to tougher regulations governing the use of agricultural vehicles on public roads. More Ryan under fire over bio-fuels uncertainty Ireland's fledgling bio-fuel business is under threat because of the Government's failure to implement its bio-fuel policy, it has been claimed. More New secure truck stop in Calais All4Trucks is opening a multi branded truck stop in Calais , France which will feature completely secure guarded parking for 300 trucks. More   IRHA winning war on unlicensed haulage The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) may be losing the battle in seeking a cut in excise duty on diesel, but is making progress in its campaign against unlicensed hauliers and those operating in the black economy, writes John Loughran. More   IAM warns motorists of new French traffic law The Irish Advanced Motorists (IAM) is warning all Irish motorists including hauliers, of a new piece of French legislation, which came into force at the beginning of the month. More Belfast underpass opens for business The opening of the £104m Belfast Broadway underpass means that traffic can now move freely across the city between the M1 and M2 motorways. More   Road hogs targeted in Dutch traffic campaign The Dutch government is to clamp down on anti- social driving in an effort to cut road deaths. More   IRHA defers blockade decision The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has deferred its decision on whether to mount French style blockades in protest at spiralling fuel prices. More   IRHA welcomes unlicensed haulage crackdown The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has welcomed the crackdown on unlicensed hauliers. More Dublin City Council plans new Finglas HGV traffic ban Dublin City Council is poised to introduce a HGV ban in Finglas, which will affect all vehicles over three tonnes. More   New rules of the road website The President of Ireland, Mary McAleese has officially launched the Road Safety Authority's new Rules of the Road website, www.rulesoftheroad.ie. More Hauliers to face multi agency checkpoints The Revenue Commissioners and the Gardai are pooling their resources with a view to identifying unlicensed haulage activity while ensuring least possible inconvenience for bona fide hauliers. More   Revenue Commissioners to target illegal use of rebated diesel The Revenue Commissioners has warned rogue hauliers that its stepping up its campaign to detect the illegal use of rebated diesel. More   Slow moving vehicles asked to check mirrors Motorists who drive too slowly without considering other road users may be contributing to the high toll of road collisions on our roads, a road safety officer has claimed. More   IRU calls for government support as fuel crisis deepens The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has called on governments across Europe to find solutions to the growing unrest in the road transport industry. More IRU warns on stealth taxes The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has branded EU proposals due out this week, as a stealth tax on hauliers, shops and shoppers. More   Volvo turns heads in Stockholm Heads turned last Friday (4th July) when an unusual delivery took place through busy Stockholm streets as the latest Ericsson Volvo Open 70 yacht was hauled by Volvo Trucks' new flagship Volvo FH16. More Bikers urged to choose safety over fashion With more motorcyclists taking to the roads over the summer, the Road Safety Authority and the Motorcycle Action Group of Ireland (MAG Ireland), who represent bike riders in Ireland, are advising motorcyclists and moped-riders to choose safety over fashion and ensure they wear the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when biking. More Business competitiveness key to recovery - SFA "Restoring business competitiveness has the potential to lead the economy out of recession," that's the view of the Small Firms Association (SFA). More   New look traffic radio to benefit UK motorists The Highways Agency in the UK has launched an updated version of its digital radio station, Traffic Radio. More   European manufacturers welcome progress on ESC The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has welcomed the progress made in increasing consumer awareness and market take-up of ESC (electronic stability control). More   Chancellor must scrap diesel duty increases The Freight Transport Association in Britain says that with the price of oil rising to a new record high, it is essential that the Government immediately announces that it is to scrap the proposed 2p per litre increase in diesel duty planned for October, together with similar increases planned for 2009 and 2010. More   'Don't be a Dipstick' check your oil Car care company, Comma, is launching National Oil Check Day in the UK on Friday, July 25, and is urging all motorists 'Don't be a Dipstick': check your oil to avoid breakdowns, costly repairs and huge inconvenience. More IRHA ready to mount French style blockades The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) is ready to unleash French style blockades, bringing the country to a standstill unless the Government makes fuel tax concessions. More Cut outs put the brakes on speeding motorists Kildare County Council has taken the innovative step of placing cardboard cut outs of Garda Traffic Corps cars along to the road in a bid to deter speeding motorists. More   RSA releases seatbelt survey figures Figures released by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in its Survey of Seatbelt Wearing on Irish roads have revealed that secondary school students are the only group where wearing rates have decreased. More Explorer applies brakes to save fuel Spiralling fuel costs has added an additional 16 minutes to the journey time between Dun Laoighaire and Holyhead on board the Stena Explorer. More   Port of Cork eyes new Spanish ro-ro service The Port of Cork is seeking European and government funding as part of an ambitious plan to launch a new ro-ro route between Ireland and Spain. More   Volvo's hybrid technology The U.S. government and the Swedish government have extended their co-operation with the Volvo Group regarding the development of alternative drivelines. More   DAF unveils new night lock To protect truck drivers against intrusions and robberies in their cabs, DAF has become the first truck manufacturer to introduce a night lock, which can be easily and quickly mounted to every DAF XF105. More Dempsey under fire over fuel tax cut refusal Transport Minister Noel Dempsey came under fire at a crisis meeting of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) on Wednesday night, June 25 when members were told that the government couldn't deliver on fuel tax cuts. More Consignors who won't negotiate on rates accused of corporate vandalism Companies that do not engage with hauliers in meaningful dialogue with regard to rate increases are guilty of corporate vandalism of the worst possible nature, according to Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) President Jimmy Quinn. More   Waste specialist adds to fleet The Industrial & Automotive division at waste management specialist Enva, has recently strengthened its fleet of collection vehicles with the addition of two new waste oil rigid tanker and two new curtain-side rigid collection trucks. More   IRU calls EU engagement on fuel duty cut The International Road Transport Union (IRU) the world body for the road transport industry has drawn up a resolution designed to put a united response to the current fuel price crisis to the EU Commission. More British truck driver gets four sentence on death by dangerous driving charge A British truck driver who caused a fatal accident, while engaged in a hands-free mobile phone call has received a four year jail sentence. More   Polluter pays, problem stays The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has warned the European Commission that its current "Polluter-Pays" approach on the internalisation of external costs and the revision of the Eurovignette Directive undermines the European Union's Lisbon goals" of growth, jobs and competitiveness. More   IRHA not hopeful of cut in excise duty on diesel The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) isn’t hopeful of a cut in excise duty on diesel, following discussions with officials at the Department of Transport on Tuesday, June 24. More IRHA is fighting two-pronged campaign The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) is naming and shaming unlicensed operators as part of its campaign to drive down the cost of diesel. More   IRU condemns fuel protests and calls for fuel tax cuts ‘’The wave of fuel protests and blockades around the world in recent weeks have not and will not solve the problem of rising fuel prices,” according to the International Road Transport Union (IRU). More Polish hauliers protest at spiralling fuel prices Polish hauliers held a countrywide protest on Monday, June 23 to vent their anger over spiralling diesel prices. More Work-related injury and illness highlighted The number of days lost to work-related injury and illness has been increasing steadily since 2003 according to figures released by this week by the Health and Safety Authority. More   Ireland off target to meet EC target on road deaths It will take Ireland another 12 years to cut road deaths by 50 per cent, according to the European Road Safety Council (ERSC). More   EU transport ministers agree Cabotage plan European transport ministers have agreed a plan to open up the EU road haulage market to increased competition among Member States. More   IRHA meets with Transport Minister The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has held a crisis meeting with Transport Minister Noel Dempsey to discuss the deepening fuel crisis. More Multi-agency task force to crack down on unlicensed hauliers The gardai, local authorities and the Road Safety Authority are poised to launch a major crack down on unlicensed hauliers. More   Pan-European database of haulage companies on the way A new pan-European database of haulage companies and bus operators is in the pipeline, following a meeting of EU Transport ministers last week. More   DAF unveils first zero emissions truck At a time of spiralling fuel prices, DAF has unveiled its most eco-friendly truck, which guarantees zero emissions and hours of endless fun. More Sharing the road with cyclists Spiralling fuel costs have encouraged soaring bicycle sales, and motorists including hauliers have been warned to take extra care, when encountering cyclists on the roads. More   Haulage industry on the verge of meltdown The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) is ready to take to the streets and launch French-style rolling protests in a bid to force the government into fuel tax concessions. More AA calls for fuel tax cuts The Automobile Association (AA) has called on the government to introduce fuel tax cuts on petrol and diesel. More Consumers’ Association backs call for fuel tax cuts Finance Minister Brian Lenihan is coming under increasing pressure to reduce excise duty on diesel as prices continue to soar to record highs. More   eTrip strikes Harley deal eTrip Services Ireland, the parking and tolling fee collection service provider, has announced a deal with the Gaelic Chapter Ireland of Harley Davidson Owners Group, which gives each member a free tag, with no monthly fees, for a six month period. More   Watch out for emergency vehicles Deciding what to do when you hear an emergency vehicle approaching can be a dilemma, but the Irish Advanced Motorists (IAM) says that good driving techniques will alert the driver to approaching emergency vehicles. More   IRHA offers consignors window of opportunity The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has warned business that it has a “window of opportunity” to negotiate fuel surcharges with hauliers or face a withdrawal of services in the coming weeks. More Hauliers won’t target consumers in fuel row The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) says it won’t target commuters or the general public in a possible escalation of its campaign to get “meaningful surcharges” from consignors. More   Hauliers call for creative thinking from government The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has called on the government to adopt some creative thinking to deliver relief to the haulage industry, which he claims is in a state of crisis, on the back record high diesel prices. More   Dempsey rules out cut in diesel tax Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has ruled out a cut on excise duty on diesel, to lessen the impact that spiralling diesel prices is having on the haulage industry. More Finnish government rejects hauliers pleas for fuel duty cuts The Finnish government has turned down calls from hauliers, struggling under the weight of diesel price increases, to reduce fuel taxes. More   European Commission gives green light for targeted relief The European Commission has called on Member States to take targeted action to help those most vulnerable deal with rocketing oil prices. More IRHA threatens to name and shame unlicensed hauliers The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) is threatening to “name and shame” unlicensed hauliers as part of a suite of measures it intends to undertake over the coming weeks as it seeks to highlight the plight of the haulage industry as diesel prices continue to soar to record highs. More   Hauliers support worthy charity The Midlands branch of the Irish Road Haulage Association made a presentation of €3250.00 to Dóchas, the Cancer support group recently following its highly successful Dinner Dance. More Truckers across Europe take to the streets over spiralling fuel prices Truckers across Europe took to the streets earlier this week to vent their anger at spiralling diesel prices that have now reached all time highs. More   UK in trouble over road transport employment legislation The European Commission has lodged proceedings against the United Kingdom for failure to comply with European employment legislation relating to road transport activities. More   Portugal and Greece face legal proceedings over training directive The European Commission has launched legal proceedings in the European Court of Justice against Portugal and Greece for failing to transpose the Directive on the training of professional drivers and to notify measures for its implementation. More   Sign of the times Britain is considering introducing a new road sign on country roads to help prevent truck drivers from being led down unsuitable roads by their satellite navigation systems. More   Hauliers meet to discuss fuel crisis Members of the Irish Road Haulage Association met in Cork earlier this week to discuss widespread losses as a result of the fuel-price surge. More European haulage must address driver Shortage The International Road Treansport Union (IRU) has outlined possible solutions to rectify the driver shortage across Europe. More   French truckers engage in slow rolling protest French truckers, taxi drivers and farmers staged numerous go-slows on major roads on Wednesday (June 4) to put pressure on the government over rising fuel costs. More   Exporters need zero inflation Zero inflation in the Public Sector for the next three years could be the key to ensuring that Ireland's exporting sector will continue to grow and become more competitive in international markets. That’s the opinion of the Irish Exporters Association (IEA). More   Samskip expands Lo-Lo services The Port of Cork has confirmed the expansion by Samskip Container Line of its range of scheduled lift-on lift-off (LO-LO) services to mainland Europe. More   IRHA threatens fuel protests The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) is warning that fuel protests are on the cards unless the government steps in to aid the haulage industry. More   Cowen rules out cut in excise duty on diesel Taoiseach Brian Cowen has ruled out reducing excise duty on diesel as a means of kick starting the economy and delivering relief to the haulage industry. More AA calls for fuel duty cuts The Automobile Association has called on the government to cut excise duty of diesel and petrol in a bid to kickstart Ireland’s flagging economy. More PAMBO members may have to withdraw school buses over spiralling diesel prices The Private Association of Motor Bus Owners (PAMBO) says its members may be forced to withdraw their vehicles from school bus routes due to the rising cost of diesel. More   Mercedes-Benz Actros enters Guinness Book of Records A 40-tonne Mercedes-Benz Actros trailer/tractor combination has entered the Guinness book of records as the world’s most fuel-efficient 40 tonne truck. More FTA regrets lost opportunity The Freight Transport Association (FTA) in Britain says that a major opportunity to achieve important carbon savings in the road freight sector has been lost as a result of Government’s decision not to allow trials of longer and heavier vehicles on British roads. More   IRHA launches road safety DVD The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has launched its road safety DVD entitled “Your Safety In Mind”.