Fleet Training
Fleet Driver Training in Leeds
Fleet Driver Training in Leeds, Huddersfield, Bradford, Wakefield and Beyond
Although statistically the UK has one of the lowest road accident rates in the EC, nonetheless some 2,500 people die each year on UK roads and a further 270,000 are injured, some 27,000 suffering long-term incapacity.
It is therefore in the interests of everyone to try and reduce this wastage and suffering.
WHY THE COMPANY DRIVER?
The two groups of drivers most at risk are firstly the young (17 to 25yr olds) and secondly the company driver.
The young have accidents largely because of inexperience or immaturity. Measures are currently being sought to counter this. Why the company driver? Well, Because of extended usage.
Statistics show that the average driver (10,000 miles per year) has a 1 in 7 risk of an accident in any one year. For the high mileage (50,000+ per year) company driver this risk factor is increased by some 67%, a risk factor of 1 in 3.
This is not because the company driver overall is a worse driver than the average driver; it simply means that more miles and time on the road equals more exposure. Also, it does not mean that all drivers are equally at risk. All have differing levels of skills, some are very good, others not so good.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF ASSESSMENT AND RE-TRAINING?
This again is two-fold. Firstly to seek the aspects of the driver's skills that could be adjusted to reduce risks and secondly to suggest and perhaps demonstrate corrective measures that should counter these risk elements.
It has to be recognised however, that every driver is at potential risk whenever they are driving. The purpose of assessment and correction is to try and reduce the risks to as low a level as possible.
For some drivers this may mean just a few and quite small adjustment, even if any. For others it may mean a more extensive approach. The only person who can make these corrections, however, is the driver. Adjustments to the driving skills can only be made with acceptance and self-motivation, particularly as there is no requirement for a further formal driving test.
RISK ELEMENTS FOR DRIVER
Any deviation by the driver that is at variance with the rules and guidance offered by the Highway Code presents an element of risk. However, some deviations offer a greater risk factor than others. Research has shown that drivers tend to deviate within common practices, and that many of these practices are in high-risk categories. The most common being:
Driving too fast and too close to others for the prevailing conditions, (reduced safety margins).
Narrow margins of sensory information seeking, (lack of awareness and anticipation of others)
Reactive, rather than pro-active, driving adjustments, (insufficient allowance for the actions or impending actions of others).
Deliberate risk taking, including inappropriate overtaking/undertaking, cutting-in and a general bullish approach to driving. (Generally caused by aggressive behaviour and attitude).
Extended driver activity. Driving too far overall and with insufficient breaks, causing fatigue. (A particular problem for the company driver).
Lack of knowledge of correct driving procedures, and/or misinterpretation of correct procedures.
Incorrect interpretation of other's intentions and signals.
Poor observation techniques.
Poor vehicle control of vehicle maintenance.
These are the major risk factors but there are many others that also cause accidents.
AUTHENTICATION AND CERTIFICATION
The Driving Standards Agency maintains the register of driving instructors who are suitably qualified to assess and correct fleet driver discrepancies. Currently the register is voluntary but is anticipated that, in order to achieve uniformity, the DSA will control the qualification procedure in which case inclusion on the Register would presumably become compulsory.
Initially, trainers who could establish their routine involvement in the Fleet Training Industry, or who had successfully completed a DSA accredited training course, could apply to join the register, although they had to be registered ADIs to do so. This concession ended in April 2003.
The only route now for trainers to join the DSA register of Fleet Driver Trainers is to already be listed on the ADI register, and then to either successfully complete the DSA three-part examination for Fleet Trainers, or successfully complete a DSA accredited training course for Fleet Trainers.
DTC (UK) Ltd already has a course to prepare ADIs whishing to take the DSA Fleet Trainers' examination but this new course is designed to gain DSA Accreditation and so allow a wider range of ADIs direct access to the Fleet Driver Register.
Anyone undertaking assessment and training on behalf of DTC will be included in the register and will have the documentation to prove their acceptance.
Any fleet driver who has taken an assessment and, if necessary, re-training by an Instructor on behalf of DTC will be offered an intermediate progress record of their driving skills, followed by a certificate upon completion of the programme indicating the skill levels achieved.
In addition, and in certain circumstances, an initial and/or final appraisal may be available from staff of the Driving Standards Agency. A certificate of competence will be offered to successful drivers.
For details of this scheme contact DTC (UK) Ltd t/a Driver Training Consultancy.
The Purpose of Corporate Driver Training
To reduce the risk of a driving-related accident
To reduce the stress caused by driving
To reduce the potential time taken away from work due to an accident of stress-related illness
To reduce the potential of long term disability
To reduce the potential of trauma to your family or other road users
To reduce the potential cost of vehicle repairs
To potentially reduce or contain vehicle insurance costs
To potentially reduce or contain employer liability costs
To potentially reduce additional employee cover costs
To potentially improve productivity and efficiency
Accident Statistics
Over 95% of accidents are caused by driver error
The average driver has a 1 in 7 chance of a fatal or serious accident in any one year
This risk increases for company drivers by more than 60%
... and for young drivers by as much as 50%
On average 9.5 people per day are killed by drivers
A quarter are pedestrians - 2 children killed every week more than 8 seriously injured each day
25-30% of all fatal accidents involve vehicles being driven for work
There are 320,000 serious casualties every year
... that's nine hundred each day
The average fatal accident costs society £1,150,000 per death
Almost £12 billion for all road accidents, each and every year
Sources: DETR, Roadcraft
Why do drivers have accidents?
Inappropriate speed
Driving too close
Poor observation
Not allowing for weather
Lack of experience
Poor driving techniques
Lack of anticipation and planning
Lack of care and concern
Taking risks/shortcuts
Vehicle maintenance
How can re-training assist?
Re-assess and if necessary improve the driver's psychomotor skills
Re-assess and if necessary improve the driver's cognitive skills
Re-assess and if necessary improve the driver's effective skills
HOWEVER!
No re-training programme can operate in isolation
It requires co-operation and motivation from both the company drivers and the company
The Benefits for the Company
If the company employees can reduce their accident rates insurance premiums should reduce.
An employee, having been involved in an accident, will often take time off work for sick leave. This may be from as little as a couple of weeks to a permanent situation.
During this period the company may have to pay incapacity benefits and, in addition, pay the costs of a stand-in employee.
The vehicle may be damaged and may be out of commission until the repair is completed. This may mean an additional cost of a hire vehicle or and addition to the fleet.
The company may have to pay a substantial part of the repair costs depending on their insurance.
In addition to this may be hospital fees, administration fees, legal fees, lost goods and just the sheer inconvenience.
Quite often companies bear some of these costs where there is no driving accident. Just the stress of regularly commuting can lead to short and long term incapacity.
Whilst a short re-training programme for drivers will not completely eliminate these potential risks and costs, it should reduce the risks, particularly if the company can also add incentive for employees to maintain their improved knowledge and skill levels once the training is complete.
Contact us for more information
For further information on Fleet Driver training in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield, Bradford or further a-field, please feel free to call or email me.
Telephone: 0113 2680134 or mobile: 07973 847769