Business driver danger acknowledged

The Fleet Safety Association is a trade body recognised by the both the Department for Transport and the Driving Standards Agency. Association members work to a strict code of practice that effectively obliges them to provide relevant, cost-effective, appropriate and professionally deployed driver risk management programmes for customers in all sectors of commerce and industry. It offers solutions for the growing problem of road crashes involving so-called ‘occupational drivers’. The interventions on offer range from online risk assessments and e-learning modules to all manner of practical driver training courses and seminars. They even extend to assisting with the formulation of policies and internal communications campaigns to ensure the complete buy in of the employees. The association says that ‘Almost without exception, the interventions provided by the members yield quantifiable results, both in human and financial terms. On-road incidents, with all their associated costs, drop dramatically, fuel consumption improves and the life of wear and tear items is extended. Employees become more confident, less stressed and even more productive as a result of the training, help and advice on offer. Even vehicle residual values improve, thanks mainly to the absence of crash damage but also to increased mechanical sympathy being applied.’ It adds that if a business includes potential insurance cost reductions as well, it is perfectly feasible for a driver risk management programme to be self-funding. Additional information can be obtained from its website.