Driver Safety and Assessments

How out of date is your drivers’ knowledge? Very out of date, probably.  Everyone thinks they’re the best driver but most people learnt to drive many years ago and have done nothing to update their driving knowledge nor skill.  So how can they be the best driver?

Driving is, without doubt, the most dangerous work-related activity performed by most people in Britain.

It has been estimated that up to a third of all road traffic accidents involve somebody who is at work at the time. This may account for over 20 fatalities and 250 serious injuries every week. Some employers believe, incorrectly, that provided they comply with certain road traffic law requirements, e.g. company vehicles have a valid MOT certificate, and that drivers hold a valid licence, this is enough to ensure the safety of their employees, and others, when they are on the road. However, health and safety law applies to on-the-road work activities as to all work activities, and the risks should be effectively managed within a health and safety management system.

The true costs of accidents to organisations are nearly always higher than just the costs of repairs and insurance claims. The consequences of an accident on the self-employed and small businesses are likely to be proportionately greater than on a larger business with greater resources. The benefits to you from managing work-related road safety can be considerable, no matter the size of your business. 

■ It allows you to exercise better control over costs, such as wear and tear and fuel, insurance premiums and legal fees and claims from employees and third parties. 

■ It also allows you to make informed decisions about matters such as driver training and vehicle purchase, and helps you identify where health and safety improvements can be made. 

Case studies and research have shown that benefits from managing work-related road safety and reducing crashes include:

  • fewer days lost due to injury
  • reduced risk of work-related ill health
  • reduced stress and improved morale
  • less need for investigation and paperwork
  • less lost time due to work rescheduling
  • fewer vehicles off the road for repair
  • reduced running costs through better driving standards
  • less chance of employees being banned from driving, e.g. As a result of points on their licences

Promoting sound health and safety driving practices and a good safety culture at work may well spill over into private driving, which could reduce the chances of staff being injured in a crash outside work.

We are based in the Central belt of Scotland between Edinburgh and Glasgow but offer national coverage for all types of Driver Training.

Our former Traffic Police officer who spent many years on the front line of road policing enforcing road traffic law and related legislation on the streets of Scotland. He is the holder of a Class 1 Police Advanced Driving Qualification (the highest attainable), further to this he also holds a Police Instructors qualification and a security Escort Driving Qualification. After leaving that roll he attained a Diploma in Advanced Driving Instruction.  He is on the register of Approved Driving Instructors held by the Driving Standards Agency as well as the approved register of Fleet Instructors.

We have contracted instructors all over the UK who are all on the register of Approved Driving Instructors held by the Driving Standards Agency and the holder of a Fleet Driver Training Qualification. Further to this all Instructors are a graded at a 4 or above as per DSA standards.

The training we propose to offer will be carried out on a ratio of 2 candidates to 1 Instructor over a 2.5 – 3 hour period. The training will include the following topics: Pre Drive Vehicle Checks, Moving off and manoeuvring within a confined area, speed awareness, speed to gear ratio, braking, appropriate vehicle positioning, dual carriageways/motorways driving skills, advanced and improved risk identification and management, safe overtaking, meeting and passing traffic, space management, improved and advanced observation skills incorporating forward planning and awareness. Personal safety when entering or exiting a vehicle as well as personal safety during a breakdown at side of road/motorway. Throughout the drive the candidate will also be asked a series of questions in relation to the Highway Code and road safety. 

There will also be discussions within the vehicle on vehicle condition including tyres, lights and the drivers responsibility in relation to this and the consequences it could incur.

At the end of the training the candidate will be supplied with a certificate and a drivers pack containing a high viz vest and a copy of the Highway Code.

The company will get a full audit trail containing the person’s name, licence check details, and result of the questions asked at the end of each month.

In all areas of business you must assess risk and train – driving is no different and may indeed be the greatest hazard your company faces.  Get in touch and we can talk through how we can help