The risks faced by company car drivers, whether in a car or van, are higher than those faced by regular motorists, according to research…
Fleet Drivers At Risk
Research conducted by DriveTech, part of the AA, suggests that van and company car drivers are at greater risk whilst behind the wheel. This, it claims, is largely a product of ‘pressure to meet schedules’. For perspective, at-work drivers are 48% more likely to drive whilst fatigued, 40% more likely to tailgate and 25% more likely to commit junction errors. They’re also 15% more likely to drive whilst distracted. Conversely, however, many fleets aren’t offering proper training or putting safety measures in place. For instance, 71% of companies don’t offer regular training for their drivers. Even more alarmingly, 46% of fleet managers and company car drivers don’t know what legally constitutes dangerous driving. Furthermore, 39% of companies don’t have procedures in place to manage driver fatigue.
Colin Paterson, head of marketing at DriveTech, drew attention to the heightened risks faced by at-work drivers; and the lack of response from fleets. He said, “despite statistics demonstrating increased risks for fleet and at work drivers, less than one quarter of companies have regular training for their drivers”. He added, “at-work drivers are far less likely to be involved in a collision caused by substance impairment or speeding than other motorists, however, they are far more likely to engage in other types of risky driving behaviour than individual motorists”. According to Department for Transport (DfT) 520 people were killed in 2018 alone whilst driving for work.
What Fleets Can Do
According to DriveTech, fleets can reduce accident rates by up to 35% simply by expanding driver risk management procedures. This might consist of raising awareness of, and enforcing, the need for regular breaks; including the legal basis. A zero-tolerance approach to taking calls whilst at the wheel, regardless of how, can go a long way. A proper driving policy can also highlight bad practice whilst out on the roads and will establish proper duty of care, too. This might draw attention to speeding, tailgating and other forms of unsafe and aggressive driving. Telematics can also be used to properly monitor drivers and their performance; this also paves the way for incentivising proper conduct.
Van and company car drivers are the backbone of the economy. But, as it stands, they face needless and avoidable risk. It’s up to fleets and fleet managers to ensure that their time behind the wheel is as safe as it is for regular drivers, if not even more so. For those that succeed in this, the benefits are obvious…
60% Of Employees “Ready To Quit” If They Lose Company Cars – https://autoservefleet.co.uk/latest-news/60-of-employees-ready-to-quit-if-they-lose-company-cars/
The Nation’s Speeding Habits Revealed – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/nations-speeding-habits-revealed/
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