>>> Can You Afford...

...to be without insurance or pay over the odds ?

Premiums for occupational drivers are failing to keep pace with claims and are rising by 25% per annum. They are set to rise further as the NHS now has the power to reclaim the cost of medical treatment for road accident victims from employers and insurance companies. Future cover will be very expensive or unobtainable for companies with a poor safety record.

Driver training is evidence that road safety is taken seriously and is increasingly linked to reduced insurance premiums. Savings of between 25 and 40 % in insurance premiums are possible for drivers who have undertaken recent training.

...to risk criminal prosecution ?

Legislation introduced under the Health & Safety at Work Act places a duty of care on employers and individual directors of companies to ensure that employees who undertake driving duties are competent. Liability may lead to criminal prosecution with a heavy fine, or imprisonment. The HSE are increasingly prepared to prosecute companies who fail to meet their legal obligations.

Driver training gives 'peace of mind' to owners, directors and those with corporate responsibility for the occupational driver.

...to employ untrained drivers ?

Drivers of company vehicles are responsible for over 25 % of all accidents, injuries and deaths on our roads, yet only 10% receive any training after passing their driving test.

It is less of a risk and more cost effective to employ trained drivers. They are more manageable as they are aware of the effect of their actions on safety and vehicle costs.

Accident rates fall by over 25% after training is undertaken. Driver training is essential if we are to reduce the number of accidents and the costs involved. For driver training to remain effective it should be part of an ongoing programme. Most of the benefit of training is lost if not reinforced.

...the cost of bad driving ?

Every day on our roads, we see drivers taking unnecessary risks through bad driving practice, poor judgement and excessive speed, often with flagrant regard for the law. Streets are littered with vehicles that are inappropriately and often illegally parked, creating difficulties for other road users. The problems can be compounded by negative or aggressive driver behaviour.

Vehicle drivers must be trained to avoid or minimize situations where risks occur.

It is in the interest of management to eliminate bad driving as it results in accidents, delays and increased costs. It causes disruption, increases absenteeism and wastes valuable management time.

Below standard driver performance has a damaging effect on third party relationships and reputation. It can affect 'bottom line' performance and present a poor corporate image.

...not to invest in your drivers and vehicles ?

As organisations strive to achieve greater efficiency, stringent targets and deadlines are increasingly used to measure performance and reward. For management, drivers and their vehicles this can create additional pressure.

Management must set realistic targets and deadlines for drivers and ensure that through training, they develop and maintain the necessary skills to achieve them. Investment in driver training builds confidence, commitment and reliability. It increases the value of the most important resource.

Drivers must be trained to understand that bad driving is not a result of pressure but of personal choice and can lead to loss of life and criminal prosecution.

Vehicles are an expensive asset and essential to most successful business operations. Management and drivers have a responsibility to ensure that they are carefully driven and well maintained. Significant savings are achievable in vehicle depreciation and running costs when trained drivers are used.

...the cost of even a single accident ?

Driving on our roads is a dangerous activity. For the occupational driver covering average mileage there is a 1 in 250 chance of being killed in a road accident each year. Statistics from Government and Industry sources show that:

Over 500,000 accidents, 300,000 casualties and 3,500 deaths occur each year on our roads.
The cost of each road accident is a minimum of £2.8K and can be over £20K.
The total cost of a fatal accident is in excess of £1 million.
The average cost of 'bent metal' damage to a vehicle is at least £700.
65 % of all company cars are subject to an insurance claim each year.

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