Companies miss the mark on fleet safety
Author: John Neil, 01 August 2007.
Motor fleet insurance specialist Alan Boswell Group warns fleet operators that they risk prosecution and increased insurance costs if they don't improve fleet
risk management.
A
new benchmarking website for
motor fleet managers has revealed that more than one third of companies are failing to comply with corporate and regulatory requirements relating to
motor fleet safety.
Anonymous Audit
More than 170
motor fleet managers have already signed up to the 'Fleet Safety Benchmarking' project, which was launched in April. The project is run by the Fleet Safety Forum - a division of road safety charity
Brake - with the help of vehicle
risk management firm
Interactive Driving Systems.
The idea behind the benchmarking service is to help
motor fleet operators to anonymously compare their own fleet safety record and procedures with others. Anyone signing up is encouraged to complete a quick 10-question self-audit to identify any gaps in their fleet safety processes.
Already these questionnaires have shown that:
- Only 47% of companies have a comprehensive safety, health and environmental management policy.
- Only 54% of companies provide all new employees with a formal induction covering issues such as their motor fleet policy, equipment, collision and fuel reporting, emergency procedures and vehicle checking/maintenance.
- Only 58% have a system in place to maintain driver records, including medical/health information, reference and licence checks and collision history.
- Only 44% of companies have optimised work schedules and travel requirements to minimise road risks and to encourage compliance with speed limits, working time regulations, road safety laws and to avoid the times of day when falling asleep at the wheel is most likely.
A spokesperson for
Interactive Driving Systems commented the results show a worrying state of fleet safety in the UK.
Brake commented that it was alarming just how many companies are failing to lay down basic safety precautions in relation to road safety.
Free Guide
Businesses can sign up to the benchmarking scheme, which also provides access to "best practice" case studies and a free guide from the Fleet Safety Forum on 'Reporting and Recording Crash Data'.
Crash analysis, risk audits and benchmarking are crucial to effectively manage road risk, helping companies assess their fleet safety processes and policies and identify potential improvements".
Anyone with responsibility for a company
motor fleet of any vehicle type can sign up to the project online, provided they have at least 20 drivers or vehicles (company owned or not) that are used for work purposes
Alan Boswell Insurance Brokers Limited, Alan Boswell Insurance Services Limited and Alan Boswell & Company Limited are authorised and regulated by the
Financial Services Authority.
