Northern Ireland’s leading waste management company, RiverRidge has highlighted the importance of road safety following its involvement in the road safety event with pop up park, which was held at the six mile park in Ballyclare.
With RiverRidge’s HGV lorry on site, the event offered the public the opportunity to experience first-hand, a driver’s perspective of the road, outlining the blind spots around the vehicle particularly taken in to account motorbikes and bicycles, in order to create an understanding as to the safety requirements needed from other drivers when on the road.
Tony Kirkpatrick, Logistics & Transport Director of RiverRidge commented, “As a company with over 120 vehicles on the road every day, it is RiverRidge’s responsibility to do our bit for road safety, particularly when it comes to the larger vehicles that we operate. Our involvement in events like this, is an example of how we fulfil this responsibility.”
Alongside a car crash re-enactment, demonstrating the response of the police, police helicopter and the fire brigade, the road safety event also featured a car crash simulator alongside a wide range of information stalls including the importance of bike safety.
As a FTA Truck Excellence Accredited Operator, safety is a top priority for RiverRidge as they continue to go above and beyond the national guidelines. The company’s commitment to safety was recognised by HSENI when RiverRidge was awarded the title of WISHNI Ambassador for three years running, in recognition of their health and safety excellence and overall best practice within the waste sector. They also were awarded by Export and Freight the Excellence in Compliance Award in 2017.
Tony continues, “With a recent investment in a new fleet of 20 Mercedes-Benz Econics, RiverRidge is continually growing its presence on the road, therefore we are dedicated to ensuring a safe environment for our drivers and the general public. We were only too happy to get involved with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and the Policing and Community Safety Partnership in promoting safety on our roads.”
Pamela Dennison of the CILT said, “We are always trying to think of new ways to promote road safety locally and the response from this event has been brilliant.
“It is often a lack of knowledge that causes accidents about the precautions needed when driving alongside HGVs, vehicles which are very prominent on our roads. Having RiverRidge on board to create an awareness of how other drivers can drive safely on the road was brilliant and I thank the team for their support.”
Tony continues, “It is important to be fully informed when it comes to driver safety and the opportunity to experience the driver’s perspective in one of our HGVs is a fantastic way for the public to be more aware of the boundaries surrounding a vehicle of that size.
Organised by the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in conjunction with the Policing & Community Safety Partnership, the event was hosted by Q Radio and included a range of family friendly activities.
Concluding, “Having more events like this, which highlights the risks undertaken by drivers on a daily basis, brings to life the stark reality as to how easy life-threatening incidences can be avoided and it is something that RiverRidge fully supports.”
