AccuFleet Driver Training - Minimising Road Risk

Research by the HSE and other sugests that approximately 1 in 3 of all road deaths involves someone who is on work business.

Out of the 3172 UK road fatalities in 2006, that would mean over 1000 of them involved a driver, passesnger, pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist etc., who was working at the time. Driving is the most dangerous activity people undertake whilst at work.

Travelling sales reps or service engineers cannot say that driving is not part of their job – it clearly is. New and existing legislation dictates that employers now need to undertake occupational road risk assessments of people driving vehicles as part of their work.

Employers and fleet managers shold be aware that high mileage company drivers are the most likely to drive whilst tired, under stress, using mobile telephones and whilst distracted. These high risk drivers will often need a driving assessment, knowledge and highway code updates and appropriate coaching to reduce this risk.

Companies also need to provide a paper trail in the event of Health and Safety investigation. This should inculde incident records, driver handbooks, vehicle check records, eyesight testing and evidence of training for high risk employees.