When you work in logistics, you certainly don’t want to be using your phone while you’re out on the roads driving – not only is it unsafe, it’s also illegal. However, just because you know to stay off your mobile while you’re on the move doesn’t mean your phone can’t help you deliver your courier loads in record time.
Check out these apps that have been curated for couriers: with their help, you’ll be able to stay on top of road closures, find affordable fuel stations in a heartbeat and much, much more.
Tesco Finder
Is there anything worse than realising you’re running low on fuel while you’re in the process of getting your courier loads where they need to go? When you download the Tesco Finder, that problem will be a thing of the past. This app is free and perfect for drivers who have ventured out of the bounds of their local petrol station. Instead of paying an arm and a leg at the pricey motorway services, you’ll be able to find the nearest Tesco with a fuel station and get a good, local rate. What could be easier?
RAC
We all know that road closures are the bane of a driver’s existence – nothing is worse than trying to deliver your courier loads on time only to find out at the last minute that the street you need is closed. The RAC app will show you any road closures or heavily congested areas – and it’s updated frequently, so you know all the information is correct. When used in conjunction with the iWeather app, it can even route your sat nav so it avoids any closed streets – what a gem!
Met Office Weather
Like postmen, dedicated professional delivery drivers will get their courier loads where they need to go in all weather conditions, no matter if it’s hot as hades or raining cats and dogs (as long as it’s safe to do so, of course!). Before you set off for the day, you can check the Met Office Weather app to see what the elements have in store for you (and what the visibility will be) so that you can prepare for all of Mother Nature’s eventualities.
Jamie Oliver’s 30-Minute Timer
I know what you’re thinking – what does Jamie Oliver have to do with delivering my courier loads? More than you might think! When you’re a driver, you have to allocate and count down time for lots of different things, especially how long you have to park your vehicle before you will be fined. Not only is Jamie Oliver’s timer great for keeping track of 30-minute intervals, it also includes nine recipes – now that’s tasty and helpful!
Make your working life better by downloading these four apps. They’re perfect for couriers and are sure to make your day much simpler, whether it’s by predicting the weather or helping you figure out where you can get more fuel for your van.
Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day courier loads in the express freight exchange industry. Numerous transport exchange businesses are networked together on their website, trading jobs and capacity through what is now the fastest growing Freight Exchange in the UK.
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