FAQs

Q: I carry out yearly licence checks on those employees who drive on company business. Isn't that sufficient to cover my obligations?

A: Whilst it is a good idea to ensure that anybody driving on company business has a valid and appropriate licence, this may not be sufficient in the eyes of the law if one of your drivers was involved in a serious accident. In any case, a casual visual check of the licence cannot be relied on. Licence status should be validated by the DVLA and many suppliers can offer this service as part of a risk management programme.

Q: We no longer have any company cars as such. We operate a cash for car scheme, so drivers source their own vehicles and insurance cover. Surely their safety is then their concern and theirs alone?

A: It is widely accepted by health and safety professionals that a duty of care stills exists in situations where 'cash for car' employees drive on company business. To ensure that you are protected, they should be incorporated into a driver risk management programme in just the same way as those driving company-provided vehicles.

Q: I know that we should have driver and vehicle policies in place but I do not know where to start with this.

A: Any member of the Fleet Safety Association should be able to provide policy templates, which can be adapted for your employees specific driving environment and pattern.

Q: I cannot afford to have my sales force tied up with re-training rather than out there selling.

A: You do not have to opt for on-road training for all your staff unless they are all at high risk. Many driver risk management solutions are electronic these days and very cost effective. All Fleet Safety Association members will only recommend interventions that you really need and will not sell you something that is inappropriate for your specific circumstances.

Q: I have a mixture of cars, vans and trucks. Will I be able to find a supplier which can cope with a fleet of this composition?

A: Yes, the driver risk improvement principles adopted by the members of the Association apply equally well to all vehicles. Some member companies are even able to offer courses for motorcycles as well.

Q: I am responsible for our company's fleet but I have no formal fleet management qualifications. I am worried that I may not be in a position to ask the right questions if I'm considering embarking on a driver risk management programme.

A: Fleet Safety Association members are familiar with these circumstances and will gladly help you through the process in a non patronising way. All members pride themselves on taking a professional, consultative approach and should have no problem putting you at your ease.

Q: What sort of guarantee do I have that any programme I agree to will actually work?

A: To be honest we cannot guarantee anything because we are dealing principally with human behavioural issues here. However, the members of the Association, which represent the most successful companies in the sector, have enviable track records of proven success in reducing accident rates, accident cost and changing driver attitude for the better. It is however important to remember that occupational driver safety improvement is not something you can switch on and off in an arbitrary way. True benefits will only come over time, where the process becomes ingrained in the organisation's culture.

Q: If we implement a driver risk management programme I am convinced that I will meet resistance from the workforce. What can be done to help me combat this?

A: A crucial part of any driver risk management programme is communication. Your drivers need to understand the extent of the problem you are facing as a business and the reasons why you have implemented the programme. They also need to know exactly what will happen during the process and what is in it for them. Fleet Safety Association members are well versed in providing communications materials that can be used internally to promote a positive message and allay any fears that drivers might have.

Q: I have heard that, if we implement a driver risk management programme, my company's insurance premiums will drop. Is this true?

A: In the current insurance market no Association member can guarantee that premiums will actually drop but all insurers recognise the potential long term value of driver risk management. What you will find is that you will be negotiating insurance terms from a position of strength and you should certainly experience a much slower rise in insurance costs than you otherwise would if you had no such programme in place.

Q: I recognise that, by implementing a programme of driver risk management, incident rates and direct costs will almost certainly drop but are there other benefits that we can expect too?

A: Most certainly. You should notice a marked reduction in overall fleet running costs. Because drivers should have a much improved awareness of the risk they are exposed to, their concentration, anticipation and observations skills will be significantly sharpened, and this will have important knock on effects. Fuel consumption should drop; tyres, brakes and suspension components should last longer; wheel rims and trims are less likely to be damaged; drivers also have pride in their enhanced abilities and skills, and this is reflected in the way they care for their vehicle - they nearly always end up being worth more at time of disposal. Also, most employees recognise that you, as an employer, are implementing the programme because you are concerned about their welfare - this has a positive effect on morale.