It can be incredibly important to make sure that you comply with all of the current Health and Safety regulations regarding vehicles and road use. This can, obviously, be a task which is both expensive and daunting. Especially for small or medium companies, who don't have the need for a dedicated Fleet Manager or in-house advanced driving training facility. Unfortunately, it is just as important to not ignore this responsibility. Not conforming to the relevant regulations can prove to be incredibly expensive. Changes to the law over the last two years means that even small businesses are likely to be hit with huge fines in the event of a member of the public being injured due to the actions of their staff.
The training is aimed specifically at reducing the risks to both your employees and your vehicles. Part of this involves identifing any risk factors in driving practices and helping your employees and you to recognise these risks. In addition to this, once we have identified any risks we can train your employees to reduce the risk which saves your business money on vehicle maintainance, fuel consumption, high insurance costs etc.
Our fleet assessment courses are tailored to your company's individual requirements. For the best results, it is best that delegates use a vehicle that they are familiar with.
Almost half of drivers risk accidents when on the motorway by following too closely behind the vehicle in front. An RAC survey determined that a stretch of the M4 through Berkshire had the worst rate of tailgating, with more than 70% following too close. By leaving a little more space between yourself and the car in front will not only give you better visibility, but will allow you more time to adapt your driving style to any changes in the traffic.
Figures recently released by the Department for Transport suggests that almost 10% of accidents on British roads involve a driver on company business journeys. In 2006:
30,567 vehicles were involved in crashes while driven by someone who was working at the time.
24,609 vehicles were involved in accidents whilst the driver was commuting to or from work.
Shockingly, there are almost one thousands deaths on British roads each year that involve vehicles which were being driven for work purposes at the time. On top of that, there are more than 77,000 injuries which require medical attention suffered by employees every year due to road crashes while they are working.
RoSPA report that if you drive more than 25,000 miles on company business each year you will have a one in 8,000 chance of being killed in an accident in your company car.(RoSPA)
While statistics are shocking, if a company hasn't taken adequate steps to ensure the safety of their vehicles, then the company can be liable. Especially with the new 'Corporate Manslaughter' offence enacted in 2007. Fines of up to a million pounds for fatal accidents are not unheard of.
For fleet managers, this is expounded by the costs of accidents which don't prove fatal for anyone, injured personnel not able to work and vehicles off the road for repairs. Company car drivers are also up to 50% more likely to be involved in a collision on the roads according to the Transport Research Laboratory, even when accounting for the additional mileage driven.
Overview of the assessment and course
The course that we run will cover:
- causes of road crashes and how to prevent them.
- how, as a driver, to improve concentration on the road and better observation.
- how to best use the space around the vehicle.
- identifying dangers and threat on the road, especially from other road users.
- advanced planning of driving, anticipating issues and dangers, maintaining an awareness of speed and improving fuel economy.
- demonstrating daily safety checks to be carried out on vehicles to ensure that they are in fit shape to be taken onto the road.
Driver Assessment
Part of the assessment we carry out is to individually determine the risk level of your drivers. This is done using 'on the road' training, and we will produce an individual written report with recommendations of what (if any) training should be conducted. An on road assessment session will be the best way to assess a driver, providing an accurate risk level.
The core of the training, will cover developing the principles and ideas of defensive driving. These skills are key to making drivers correctly observe and react to what is happening on the road. It also covers the principles of keeping the vehicle in absolute control. Ensuring that the position and speed being taken by the driver is safe suitable to the road and traffic conditions. These techniques also mean adapting to changing road conditions with plenty of time to spare. This has the fringe benefit of improving fuel economy.
Developing these skills requires building a positive and courteous attitude to other road users. In addition to this, we instill the concept of maintaining high levels of concentration, accurate observation, anticipating the changing road environment and controlling the space which is around the vehicle. We also teach drivers to plan ahead, using prediction and timing to be at the right position on the road, while travelling at the right speed.
Economy and Environment
An additional benefit of the defensive driving techniques which we teach is that drivers will drive in a more fuel efficient style as a matter of course. So without costing any time in journeys, you can save an average of 5% over the course of a year simply through using less fuel.
We also teach the driver to stay in tune with the vehicle, ensuring that it is in good mechanical shape. Well maintained vehicles are more efficient all round and the driver can be sure that the vehicle is road worthy. This saves you money as problems are detected early and can be dealt with the least expense, both in financial terms and in lost time.
So apart from saving you money, improving your company's environmental record and ensuring that you have a fleet of road worthy vehicles, you also end up with drivers who are less stressed and fatigued from being on the road.
Next steps
At the end of the on the road session our assessors will write a full report on each participant. This is based on the individual performance and focuses on any areas which need improvement. They will recommend which participants need further training and in what areas. Copies of the Risk Assessment will be supplied for your company records.
Course Format
- Final Assessment
A comprehensive risk assessment will be drawn up for each delegate based on the on the road session.
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Feedback
All of the delegates will be told how they have done in the assessment. A full written report is then sent to their company. The report will advise what areas, if any, need improvement through further coaching.
The whole session will take approximatly 1 hour for each candidate
We have several qualified DSA registered Fleet Instructors and are able to offer Road Risk Assessment for Company Car drivers, Small Van or light Comercial, Mini Bus or PSV and upto 18t Cat C, So if your company uses any of the vehicle types mentioned above give us a call and find out how we can help your company reduce road risks and save you money.
