Exeter Fleet Driver Training

Why Fleet Driver training is important

It can be incredibly important to make sure that you comply with all of the current Health and Safety regulations regarding vehicles and road use. This can, obviously, be a task which is both expensive and daunting. Especially for small or medium companies, who don't have the need for a dedicated Fleet Manager or in-house advanced driving training facility. Unfortunately, it is just as important to not ignore this responsibility. Not conforming to the relevant regulations can prove to be incredibly expensive. Changes to the law over the last two years means that even small businesses are likely to be hit with huge fines in the event of a member of the public being injured due to the actions of their staff.

Almost half of drivers risk accidents when on the motorway by following too closely behind the vehicle in front. An RAC survey determined that a stretch of the M4 through Berkshire had the worst rate of tailgating, with more than 70% following too close. By leaving a little more space between yourself and the car in front will not only give you better visibility, but will allow you more time to adapt your driving style to any changes in the traffic.

Figures recently released by the Department for Transport suggests that almost 10% of accidents on British roads involve a driver on company business journeys. In 2006:

30,567 vehicles were involved in crashes while driven by someone who was working at the time.
24,609 vehicles were involved in accidents whilst the driver was commuting to or from work.

Shockingly, there are almost one thousands deaths on British roads each year that involve vehicles which were being driven for work purposes at the time. On top of that, there are more than 77,000 injuries which require medical attention suffered by employees every year due to road crashes while they are working.

RoSPA report that if you drive more than 25,000 miles on company business each year you will have a one in 8,000 chance of being killed in an accident in your company car.(RoSPA)

While statistics are shocking, if a company hasn't taken adequate steps to ensure the safety of their vehicles, then the company can be liable. Especially with the new 'Corporate Manslaughter' offence enacted in 2007. Fines of up to a million pounds for fatal accidents are not unheard of.

For fleet managers, this is expounded by the costs of accidents which don't prove fatal for anyone, injured personnel not able to work and vehicles off the road for repairs. Company car drivers are also up to 50% more likely to be involved in a collision on the roads according to the Transport Research Laboratory, even when accounting for the additional mileage driven.

What Austen's teach

Our training covers a range of advanced driving techniques. Mostly focusing on ensuring that drivers learn to drive defensively, remain focused and observant, plan ahead while driving and to be in tune with their vehicle.

We tailor each course to the individual company and work through the following key points:

• To be able to identify potential accident ‘black spots’
• To recognise the risk posed by other road users
• Understand how risks change at different times of day
• Be able to adjust the driving plan to suit weather conditions
• Plan well ahead
• Allow for others to make mistakes
• Maintain your concentration
• Adjust your driving plan to suit the conditions
• To understand the factors involved in setting speed limits
• To be able to arrive at hazards in the correct position and at the correct speed
• to develop hazard perception skills
• be able to make observation links
• to interpret information gathered via the senses