DriveTech's predictions for 2007

18 December 2006

Fleets should focus on five key operational areas in 2007 that will cut costs and improve road safety, says Jim Kirkwood, managing director of DriveTech (UK) plc.

He predicts that eco-safe driving will become the fleet industry buzz phrase in 2007 as, under pressure from legislative and fiscal measures, companies increasingly adopt ‘green’ transport policies featuring hybrid vehicles, bio-fuels and safe and fuel efficient driver training.

Businesses, said Mr Kirkwood, must also increasingly focus on managing journey times through the introduction of more flexible working practices, which, simultaneously, will reduce the need for staff to travel at rush-hour times. This will help cut traffic congestion, improve road safety and keep costs under control when road charging becomes more widespread with higher charges for peak travel periods.

Increasing demand from at-work drivers for in-car portable technology such as satellite navigation, speed camera detectors and mobile phones is a huge dilemma that fleet operators must confront, says Mr Kirkwood in relation to all vehicles driven on company business irrespective of whether they are company or privately owned.

‘Fleet operators must balance the demands of drivers amid claims that such in-car aids can, in some cases, improve business efficiency against the fact that their use can increase a driver’s exposure to occupational road risk,’ explained Mr Kirkwood.

‘We believe that portable ‘sat-nav’, traffic monitoring systems and speed camera detectors, like mobile phones, are significant added distractions while driving. Indeed, ‘failing to look properly’ was the primary contributory factor in 32% of all crashes in 2005.

‘We therefore recommend that each individual company undertakes a risk assessment and balances the benefits against the risks and includes their recommendation in the company’s car policy.’

Although many cars have ‘sat-nav’ systems fitted as standard and an increasing number of vehicles are equipped with Bluetooth technology to enable hands-free phone conversations, DriveTech has compiled a five-point action plan to help companies compile safe driving policies.

Practical steps that companies can take if in-car portable technology is allowed include:

• Position the unit outside the driver’s central field of view.
• No attempt should be made to adjust or re-programme the unit while moving.
• The unit should always be removed from an unattended vehicle and any suction pad marks should be wiped away to prevent the likelihood of theft.
• While driving, visual directions should be switched off if possible and only voice directions used.
• Avoid inputting home address into unit as if it is lost or stolen, this information can be accessed and used by other people.

Early in the New Year penalties for the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving will rise to £60 and three penalty points.

Companies, says DriveTech, must ensure at-work driving policies are up to date and state that no calls are made or received while driving. Additionally, with the risk of points on a licence companies must more rigorously monitor driver ‘totting up’.

Meanwhile, with insurance premiums continuing to rise and insurance companies becoming more selective in their choice of customer, fleets could find themselves being refused cover if they fail to take risk management measures appropriate to the risks faced with their vehicle operation.

Mr Kirkwood said: ‘Insurance costs, or even the ability to obtain appropriate and affordable insurance, will be an increasing issue for a large number of fleets as insurance costs continue to rise. Businesses that tackle risk management issues by putting in place steps to improve the safety of their at-work drivers should have no problem in obtaining insurance cover and, in many cases, may see dividend reductions.

‘However, companies that continue to turn a blind eye to the health and safety of their occupational drivers and other road users may encounter significant problems in obtaining suitable cover.’

Finally, the creeping trend of businesses moving away from cash-for-car schemes and back into traditional company cars will accelerate in 2007, as directors increasingly understand duty of care legislation

‘Some companies still fail to appreciate that they are responsible for the welfare of their staff who drive on business irrespective of who owns the vehicle. Administratively, there is no doubt that companies find it much easier to meet and manage their health and safety road risk obligations if they also have full management control of the vehicle in respect of insurance and maintenance requirements, for example,’ said Mr Kirkwood.

‘However, we predict that this will be a gradual process, not a landslide, as companies assess the financial, legal and employment consequences both for themselves and their staff.’

EDITOR’S NOTES

DriveTech (UK) plc is a leading provider of  ‘driving at work’ risk management, driver assessment and driver training solutions.

DriveTech (UK)’s goal is to reduce both an organisation’s vehicle business costs and the personal risk for ‘at work’ drivers, by significantly improving driver ABC - attitude, behaviour and competence – therefore supporting driver safety and corporate ‘duty of care’ requirements.

DriveTech (UK) has won the Institute of Transport Management’s ‘Fleet Award for Driver Training’ in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and its ‘European Driver Safety Specialist’ award in 2005.

For further information contact:

David Richards at DriveTech (UK) at david.richards@drivetech.co.uk or 01344 467271.