Driving for Business - Get up to speed.

Driving for Business - Get up to speed.

We are all familiar with the "how's my driving" stickers on the back of vehicles which invite the public to report poor driving. These stickers can be an indication that the company operating the vehicle has an active road safety strategy.

Why is a road safety strategy necessary?

If your company requires its employees to drive in their role, whether in a personal or company vehicle, you need a strategy to manage risk. The driver is principally responsible for the standard of their driving but the company may also be liable in some circumstances.

The risks to organisations range from prosecution for failing to provide drivers details to gross negligence manslaughter if the employee is driving a poorly maintained car, is fatigued or not eligible to drive.

What should you include in a strategy?

A strategy should include driver training, keeping records of vehicle use, vehicle maintenance, insurance, monitoring drivers penalty points and licence validity, in cab CCTV, mobile phone use policies and planning work so drivers are not over stretched.

Local firm Selenity have recently launched their latest innovation to improve driver safety with DVLA Connect, an automatic driver and vehicle data 'look-up' service provided within their Expenses cloud technology. This innovation is one example of where technology can assist with compliance which could form part of an overall strategy.

Where do you start?

The Health and Safety executive's publication Driving at Work: Managing work-related road safety is a good place to start. (Google "HSE Driving at Work" or "INDG382").

The HSE guidance sets out a "Plan, Do, Check, Act" approach. When drafting a strategy you may find that you already undertake certain checks but do not keep sufficient records or discover areas where you are not currently compliant.

An active strategy will help your organisation reduce risk and where incidents do occur it will enable the company whilst under investigation to demonstrate its compliance and reduce the risk of prosecution.

How can Sills & Betteridge assist?

We provide a advice and representation service to organisations and their drivers on 01522 542211 and we can also help you develop your policies and procedures.