It
is estimated that fewer than 20% of companies operate
an effective Road Risk Management policy. There are
many reasons why Companies haven't acted yet and
these
include;
- Road
risk is only one of many business risks.
- Unsure
where to start,
- Don’t see a
financial
benefit.
- Think that drivers having a licence is sufficient proof of competance to drive
on business.
However organisations,
that don’t act, are not only potentially
gambling with
the lives of their staff and therefore
failing to provide appropriate ‘duty
of care’ but
they have missed an opportunity to
reduce vehicle costs and reputational risk
within
their
business.
Driving in general and driving ‘at work’ in particular is a high-risk activity
and the costs, when it all goes wrong, can be substantial.
‘Doing nothing’ is not a rational business decision
as the business-wide benefits of assessing road risk,
measuring it & then managing it, cannot be ignored. We
believe there are a number of compelling business
arguments... The
'Duty of Care' legal situation
Under
the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 employers
have a statutory duty - they are required – ‘
to carry out an assessment of the risks to the
health and safety
of their employees ’ and that ‘includes any driving
activity on the road’ – see http://www.hse.gov.uk/roadsafety/employers.htm
Vehicle
running cost savings
- On average,
65% of all company vehicles will be involved
in a road incidence
within the
next
12 months and that
average vehicle repair
costs,
following an accident,
can range between £750 and £4,500 per claim.
- A reduction in insurance
premiums of at least
15% depending on
previous claims record, fleet size and
composition at
a time when
insurance premiums are
escalating at the rate of
20-30%
annually.
- Fuel consumption improvements
of at least 7%
- Reductions
of at least
5% in wear and tear
on tyres,
brakes and clutches
etc.
- Improved vehicle value of a minimum
of 4% if a
trained driver drives
the car.
Moral and Social Responsibility
Driving is, without doubt, the most dangerous
work-related activity performed by most people
in Britain.
It is estimated that
a third (33%) of these - 1,000 road deaths and 13,000
serious injuries a year - involve people driving
for work. Indeed, RoSPA calculates that, after deep
sea fishing and coal mining, driving 25,000 miles
a year on business is the most life-threatening activity
we undertake - more dangerous than working in construction.
With as many deaths
and serious injuries involving people who were at
work at the time, the moral argument demanding that
companies take measures to safeguard the lives of
their staff and other road users, is compelling.
Good Management and Best Practice
Driving is, without doubt, the most dangerous work-related activity performed
by most people in Britain.
It is estimated that
a third (33%) of these - 1,000 road deaths and 13,000
serious injuries a year - involve people driving
for work. Indeed, RoSPA calculates that, after deep
sea fishing and coal mining, driving 25,000 miles
a year on business is the most life-threatening activity
we undertake - more dangerous than working in construction.
With
as many deaths and serious injuries involving people
who were at
work at the time, the moral argument demanding
that companies take measures to safeguard the lives
of
their staff and other road users, is compelling.
Your Next Action
Call us on 02920 657530 to make an appointment to discuss the risks you face
when asking employees to drive on Company Business.
You can't ignore it any longer.
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