Risk Management Company Unveils The Journey - A Radical New A-Z One-Stop Approach To Fleet Health And Safety

18 June 2004

Fleets are being urged to embark on The Journey - a radical new approach to fleet risk management, which will be formally launched by the Fleetsafe Group at Company Car in Action 2004 at the Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire, from June 22-25.

The all-embracing concept transports fleet decision-makers along a clearly signposted A-Z risk management route with companies able to join and leave the highway at anytime mixing and matching service offerings on the way.

With occupational health and safety continuing to dominate the hearts and minds of fleet chiefs as well as their director-level bosses, Fleetsafe Group chairman Chris Howell said: ‘We are presenting a totally fresh approach with targeted risk management solutions rather than the historic and stale blanket approach offered by so many companies.’

The Journey involves all three companies within the Fleetsafe Group starting with Risk Answers, which will undertake an audit of a company's current occupational driving policies and procedures and recommend, where necessary, changes to improve management control in line with best practice recommendations by the Health and Safety Executive.

Secondly drivers - those behind the wheel of company vehicles and those who drive their own cars and vans on company business - will have the opportunity to undergo CD-Rom or online driving risk assessments to determine their risk exposure rating, which have been uniquely developed by DATA Programmes.

Finally, based on the risk rating, a range of safe driving solutions will be offered to employees. These could range from driver training for high-risk drivers to e-training on an specific aspect of driving such as speed to frequent communication updates, events and additional advice for drivers rated as low risk all delivered by DriveTech (UK).

In addition DATA Programmes has developed integrated database systems that enable individual fleets to access comprehensive records of driver audit trails and cost analysis.

Mr Howell said: ‘I don't believe any other company can offer a total fleet risk solution that is as comprehensive as that available from the Fleetsafe Group. The menu of risk management services we have developed enables fleets of all shapes and sizes to mix and match products depending how far they are already along the health and safety route.’

He added: ‘Given the ever-increasing interest that both the police and Health and Safety Executive are having in occupational driving I don't think the vast majority of fleets understand how to tackle the problems they face.

‘Our new approach gives fleets access to a huge wealth of knowledge and information that will ensure their fleet operation and all occupational drivers are fully compliant with all current and imminent legislation.

‘Not only will companies meet their legal responsibilities but they will find that there are numerous spin-off benefits, many of which will improve their profitability.’

Benefits from introducing a quality fleet risk management programme include:

• 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 driven by a trained driver
• Improved business performance

• Fewer accidents
• Less need for investigation
• Less paperwork
• Less lost time
• Less requirement for work rescheduling
• Lower training costs
• Fewer missed orders
• Improved staff morale
• Reduced insurance costs
• Improved public image
• Protection from prosecution

DriveTech (UK) Limited - is a leading driver training company which provides a comprehensive range of tailored and targeted driver training solutions from on-road familiarisation to anti-kidnap training. It has won the Institute of Transport Management ‘Fleet Award For Driver Training’ in 2001, 2002 and 2003 and the European award for 2004.

Risk Answers Limited - a specialist independent total vehicle risk management company founded in 2001 by a number of fleet experts to provide professional and dedicated fleet risk management consultancy.

DATA Programmes Limited - founded in 2002 it provides CD-Rom or online assessment programmes to establish individual at-work driver exposure to risk and individual risk ratings. In addition, DATA Programmes has developed integrated database systems that enable comprehensive driver audit trails and cost analysis.