Did you know that in Great Britain alone, there are approximately 20 million vehicles driven for business purposes? This includes company cars, vans, HGVs, and private cars used for work journeys – some daily, some occasionally.
Alarming government statistics reveal that every year, around 40,000 people are injured in collisions involving work-related driving. And that’s just the reported injuries – the actual number is likely much higher. There are also countless incidents resulting in vehicle or property damage. These facts might surprise you, but the truth is, the odds of being involved in an injury collision while driving for work are 1 in 500.
That means, if you have a fleet of 500 vehicles, you can expect at least one injury collision every year, on average. And if your drivers and vehicles aren’t properly managed, the risk increases even more.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, anyone responsible for managing drivers and vehicles has a legal duty of care. This means taking ‘reasonably practicable’ to minimize risks to staff and others affected by your company’s operations.
In simple terms, this legislation means that:
- Companies mustn’t do anything that puts drivers at risk.
- The company’s work-related driving activities mustn’t endanger any other road users.
- Directors are responsible for implementing policies and procedures to ensure that this is so.
- All employees including drivers, managers and directors must follow those policies and procedures at all times.
The key to success lies in understanding how these legal responsibilities are shared throughout your business:
- Directors and managers must identify and manage risks while implementing the right policies and procedures.
- Your drivers must follow these procedures, driving responsibly and adhering to the Highway Code.
- Line managers, work schedulers, and others also play a crucial role by avoiding unreasonable demands that can lead to speeding or fatigue.
By ensuring everyone is aware of their responsibilities and working together, you’ll experience cumulative benefits, such as:
- Drivers facing less risk on the road.
- Reduced chances of your business being held liable for incidents, resulting in fewer prosecutions and hefty fines.
- Lower fleet operating costs, including insurance and fuel expenses.
Don’t leave your driver risk management up to chance. Take control and protect your drivers, other road users, and your business. Learn more about what you and your organization should be doing and identify any areas for improvement in your driver risk management, by joining the free Driving for Better Business program. The program offers a range of free online tools and resources to help you reduce risk, control costs, and improve efficiency.
CHAS has also developed a new Vehicle Compliance Scheme with National Highways and Driving for Better Business, which assesses the compliance and safety of your vehicle(s) across 14 key areas covering the driver, the vehicle, record keeping and safe working practices.
The CHAS Vehicle Compliance Scheme ensures your vehicles are properly maintained, inspected, and equipped with necessary safety features and demonstrates to clients and buyers your commitment to improved road safety. Prices start from just £89 per year.
