Hire and Rental News - February 2019

INDUSTRY NEWS Eating behind the wheel – is it actually legal? Late last year there was a spate of news reports discussing the legality of eating while driving. Those reports raised the question: is it legal and if it’s not, what type of consequences can we expect? F or the rental industry in Australia which relies on equipment delivery this is an interesting issue and prompts the questions: does this issue provoke a review of the training rental industry drivers receive? Apparently eating behind the wheel is a bit of a legal grey area in most states. While there are no specific road rules prohibiting eating behind the wheel, drivers can still receive a fine if doing so affects their concentration or control. (Ally Foster, news.com.au , 19 November, 2018). According to Centre for Road Safety Executive Director Bernard Carlon, any task that requires you to take your eyes off the road can be considered dangerous. “Driving is a complex activity; anything that takes your hands off the wheel, eyes off the road, or mind off the driving task is dangerous, not just for you, but everyone else on the road,” he said. “Simply taking your eyes off the road for longer than two seconds, doubles the risk of a crash.” NSW If police catch you eating and driving in NSW and believe it is having a negative impact on your driving they can book you for driving without proper control of the vehicle. This is a $448 fine plus three demerit points which jumps to a $561 fine and four demerit points if the offence is committed in a school zone. Drivers may also be charged with negligent driving if snacking distracts them and results in a crash. ACT In the ACT drivers can be charged with driving ‘without proper control’ of their car if police deem eating habits to be a distraction, which comes with a $292 fine. Motorists can also be given a $385 fine and lose three demerit points if their distraction results in a crash and warrants a negligent driving charge. QLD If you are caught taking your eyes off the road to focus on your food while in Queensland, you could be hit with three demerit points and a court imposed fine for ‘driving without due care and attention’. In Queensland, the maximum penalty courts usually issue for negligent driving is $4000. They can also impose a disqualification period depending on the severity of the case. VICTORIA In Victoria, you could be fined $387 plus lose three demerit points if police catch you having a meal on the road. TASMANIA The Tasmanian Novice Driver Guidelines encourage drivers to avoid eating behind the wheel because it can lead to dangerous situations, even though it isn’t technically illegal in itself. “Driving requires your full attention. Avoid distractions, such as eating or drinking or adjusting the radio,” the guidelines state. Motorists can be fined $163 for driving without proper control of the car. Driving without due care and attention may also result in a $163 fine, plus loss of three demerit points. SOUTH AUSTRALIA While the law in South Australia doesn’t specifically state eating while driving is illegal, the SA Drivers Handbook does name eating as a common distraction. “Too often, drivers engage in activities that distract them from the driving task,” the SA Drivers Handbook said. “These include using mobile phones, eating, drinking, smoking, conversing with passengers, using audio equipment and responding to distractions caused by children or other passengers.” Fines for driving without having proper control of the vehicle can cost $184 in South Australia, while reckless driving could result in a court imposed fine and loss of six demerit points. WESTERN AUSTRALIA In Western Australia, careless driving, including being distracted by eating carries three demerit points and a maximum fine of $600 or 12 penalty units. The more serious charge of dangerous driving can carry a maximum penalty of $3000 and loss of six demerit points. NORTHERN TERRITORY Motorists caught eating while driving in the NT and police believe it is having a negative or dangerous impact on their driving may be charged with “driving in a dangerous manner” which carries a $500 fine and three demerit points. News item originally appeared on news.com.au 19 November, 2018. n In memorium: Len Mountford Len Mountford previously from Equipment Hire in Mt Gravatt, Queensland passed away late last year, 12 November 2018. Len was a great advocate and champion for the hire industry, instigating safety manuals and courses and organising many successful functions and get- togethers for members over many years. He will be sadly missed. Gary Pitcher Gary Pitcher of Kyneton Equipment & Party Hire passed away on 29 October 2018. His family were appreciative of industry condolences received. Gary’s passing is a loss to the hire industry. n ‘E-Sign’ functionality transforms contract signing Making it simple to sign quotes and contracts on any device, MCS has launched its new E-Sign functionality in its rental management system, MCS-rm. E -Sign is linked directly to the operational MCS-rm hire solution, automatically storing signed quotes and contracts in the right place letting the rental company see what has been signed, when it was signed and who signed it, Clint Hook, Managing Director for MCS Australia said. “Ensuring contracts are digitally signed ahead of delivery helps to eliminate mistakes, improve communication and further enhance customer experience as customers receive a fast service,” Clint said. “Customers no longer have to print, sign, scan and email the signed contract. Now customers open the contract and sign it digitally by clicking the ‘accept’ button, whether on a mobile or desktop PC. The hire company receives the contract acceptance instantly. The contract process is managed without using paper and the PDFs are completely tamper- proof,” Clint said. “The E-Sign process improves the customer experience especially on work sites without access to a PC or a printer. “Customers realise it will enable them to close more business in a faster but completely secure way.” n Contact: 02 9477 1355 or visit: www.mcsanz.com.au MCS has launched its new E-Sign functionality P8 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS FEBRUARY 2019