County Fleet
Somerset County Council
Fleet Newsletter 2015
Page 1, Issue 4, December 2015
Welcome
Festive Fun
We bring to you a special festive edition of the County Fleet
1. In the song “The Twelve Days of
Newsletter, aiming to keep you updated with the latest changes in
Christmas” what is given on the sixth day?
legislation whilst also dishing out advice on how to take extra care
2. Which female actress starred alongside
of your vehicles as the weather changes.
Will Ferrell in the 2003 Christmas film
We’d also like to take this opportunity to introduce to you the new
“Elf”?
County Transport Manager, Paul Chesterman. He is contactable via
3. Who sang the 1986 song “Driving Home
the details on the last page, and is, along with the County Fleet
for Christmas”?
Team here to assist you with anything relating to the vehicles you
4. What is the name of the traditional
use in connection with your business.
German cake usually eaten during the
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Christmas season?
No Smoking
On 1st October, the law changed regarding smoking in vehicles. It
is now illegal to smoke in a car (or other vehicle) with anyone under
the age of 18 present. The law has changed to protect children and
young people from the dangers of secondhand smoke.
The law applies to every driver in England and Wales—including
those aged 17 and those with a provisional driving licence, unless
the driver is in their own vehicle and there are no passengers under
the age of 18 with them.
The only other circumstance where the law won’t apply, is if the
smoker is in a convertible car with the roof completely down. It still
applies if the windows are open, if the air conditioning is on, if the
vehicle has an open sunroof or if the person sits in the open
doorway of a stationary vehicle.
Failure to adhere to these terms could
result in both the driver and the smoker
receiving a £50 fine.
For more information, head to the DVLA
5. London’s Trafalgar Square Christmas
tree is traditionally given by which
country?
6. What colour are the berries of the
mistletoe plant?
7. How many points does a snowflake
have?
8. Who is officially credited as the author
of Auld Lang Syne?
9. Which country created eggnog?
10. Santa Claus has 9 reindeer. Name the
3 whose names begin with the letter “D”.
11. In Italy, a sweet bread - Panettone - is
traditionally eaten between Christmas and
New Year. Which city does it originate
from?
12. Fill in the blank: “...and the bells
were _____ out, it’s Christmas
Day.”
website: www.gov.uk/dvla
Worried that your vehicle hasn’t been taxed?
County Fleet is responsible for taxing the majority of owned Somerset County Council vehicles. Since the abolition
of the Tax Disc last year, you can no longer see on your vehicle whether the tax is up-to-date. If you are unsure,
you can head to the DVLA website, and if you enter the registration no. and vehicle make, you are able to view the
status of your vehicle tax — www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax
County Fleet
Somerset County Council
Fleet Newsletter 2015
Page 2, Issue 4, December 2015
Be aware that the battery struggles in the
5 Ways To Look After Your
Vehicle in Winter
cold. Remember to turn off lights, wipers,
heating etc. before you switch the engine
Top up the anti-freeze in your radiator
off. Also, unplug electrical accessories.
and add it to your windscreen washer
fluid. Look for protection down to -10°C-
Check wiper
Be prepared. Carry
-20°C.
blades for
essential items such as
damage and
an ice scraper and de-
replace if
icer. Ensure your
necessary—
windscreen is 100%
they are easily damaged
clear before
and can split if they get
setting off on
frozen to the glass.
any journey.
Check your tyres—tread depths and tyre pressure. In
wet or icy conditions, the deeper the
tread, the better the grip on the
roads. It’s also essential to have the
correct tyre pressure for greater
vehicle control.
Gritters at the Ready
Crossword
2015 has seen the addition of 7 new gritting vehicles to the
1
2
3
4
5
6
County’s Fleet of vehicles.
Each is fitted with a spreader and has an attached snow
7
8
plough—fully equipped to handle the winter weather.
9
10
11
The main roads in Somerset (with the exception of the M5,
A303 etc. which are covered by Highways England) are
looked after by the Highways department here at SCC. You
12
13
14
can keep up-to-date on Somerset Newsroom, or follow them
15
on Twitter to find out what they’re up to - @somersetgritter
For more information, head to http://www.somerset.gov.uk/
environment-and-planning/emergencies/snow-and-ice/
and/or
https://
www.gov.uk/
government/
organisations/
highways-agency
Across
Down
1. Small Car
1. ______ & Wine (song)
3. Hot Wine
2. Frozen Water
7. Snow and Rain
4. Open Presents
10. Gatwick,
5. Long Car
Heathrow etc.
6. Slimming Plan
12. Sugar_____
8. Christmas Drink
Fairy
9. Interpreting Flavour
14. ___ Turtle Doves 11. Alfa ______ (car)
15. Festive Spice
13. Roasting Fat
County Fleet
Somerset County Council
Fleet Newsletter 2015
Page 3, Issue 4, December 2015
Reporting Accident Damage
In the last issue we featured A Message from the Insurance Team which briefly explained the steps to take
when a vehicle is involved in an accident. If major repairs are needed, or a third party is involved, a Motor
Incident Report Form must be filled out and sent to Insurance.
For minor incidents - whether that’s a slight crack to the bumper involving no other vehicles, a damaged wing
mirror as a result of driving through country lanes or a deep scratch on the paintwork - a Motor Incident Report
Form is not needed, however in all circumstances, County Fleet must be informed.
We can advise the next moves if at any point you are unsure of what to do. We are contactable via the phone
numbers below or by our new email address: [email protected]
A Fine Mistake
Over the past year we have dealt with 16 fines
relating to speeding, parking and driving in bus lanes.
Please be aware of speed limits, road markings, and
parking signs to help ensure this figure is lower in
2016.
While drivers themselves are covering these costs,
16 fines could amount to anywhere between £1000£10500 depending on the severity of the offence and
speed of payment - an unnecessary sum which could
be avoided with a bit more care.
If you have any feedback or queries,
email: [email protected]
Quiz Answers:
1. Geese-a-laying 2. Zooey Deschanel
3. Chris Rea 4. Stollen 5. Norway
6. White 7. Six 8. Robert Burns
9. England 10. Dasher, Dancer, Donner
11. Milan 12. Ringing
W
O
R
D
S
E
A
R
C
H
X
C
G
G
V
W
Q
B
H
A
G
O
G
N
P
B
D
E
T
Z
E
H
S
C
I
N
J
A
U
R
Z
T
V
A
G
E
R
S
N
C
F
O
E
T
E
K
V
S
E
X
E
N
G
Z
W
P
D
B
C
S
W
E
Z
A
K
E
E
I
X
A
H
I
Y
R
E
Y
F
Y
C
K
R
O
C
W
W
G
V
U
A
N
L
U
A
D
B
G
F
T
I
D
C
E
X
C
T
S
R
S
R
O
Z
O
F
E
H
E
R
Z
K
S
C
B
E
N
H
T
Z
I
O
L
L
L
D
E
V
X
A
G
T
U
O
Q
I
Y
E
T
X
L
R
O
D
G
M
U
J
R
L
L
K
I
I
S
O
U
U
E
R
J
R
H
E
K
L
B
Y
S
V
I
R
M
C
H
T
K
I
A
O
Y
Y
I
V
H
S
M
L
E
V
L
E
B
S
T
G
D
X
K
I
E
L
C
Crackers
Ivy
Presents
Eggnog
Mistletoe
Turkey
Gingerbread
Mulled Wine
Holly
Nutcracker
E
H
Y
Y
S
R
L
R
I
Q
U
I
R
C
E
Contact the Fleet Team
Transport Manager: Office 01823 358136 Mobile 07919 540249
Transport Engineer: Office 01823 358134 Mobile 07920 537769
Procurement Officer: Office 01823 358156 Mobile 07826 950046
Transport Officer—Fleet: 01823 358137
Transport Officer—Training: 01823 358133
Transport Assistant: 01823 355878