ING Car Lease launches new risk assist product to combat grey fleet concerns

12 September 2008

ING Car Lease has revamped its well-established risk management product, Risk Assist, to improve driver involvement in safety programmes and lighten the burden of running such schemes for fleet managers. The relaunch, which sees DriveTech joining Roadmarque and IDS as preferred ING suppliers, is also part of the top 10 leasing company’s strategy of helping fleet managers to reduce risk among grey fleets.

After an extensive market review, ING has brought together the three leading companies to provide a fully integrated and comprehensive driver risk management solution to businesses, adding many improvements to ING’s existing product ‘Risk Assist’. While Roadmarque will be providing online driver assessments and data gathering; DriveTech will be providing tailored driver training, as well as advice on reducing fuel consumption. IDS are retained by ING to carry out driver licence checks via the DVLA.

Diarmuid Fahy, head of risk at ING Car Lease, said: “Risk Assist was specifically designed to provide solutions to fleet managers by guiding them through our Risk Management Cycle, and by working with our three preferred partners we have improved our approach and can now provide an integrated, one-stop risk management solution. We were always aware of the fleet manager’s Achilles’ heel when it comes to safety – their grey fleet – and this new approach goes a long way to address the issue of this hidden group of drivers which pose a significant risk to many businesses.”

ING has enhanced Risk Assist to provide a better experience for drivers and an integrated solution for fleet managers. Drivers now have access to their own secure mini-website where they can complete relevant forms online, store data, track mileage and participate in online interactive training courses with other drivers and trainers.

Fahy continued “Getting drivers to attend training is an industry-wide issue as they see it as a criticism, but DriveTech has a very high standard of training and an effective approach in getting drivers to attend training sessions. They have also developed a new programme to teach employees how to drive economically and reduce their impact on the environment.”

Other improvements to Risk Assist include new and improved types of psychometric tests, data registration to check against driver licences, tracking and comparison of CO2 levels between company cars and the grey fleet, tracking of driver responses and advanced training solutions.

Steve Johnson from DriveTech said: “Every year thousands of people are killed while driving on company business and with the robust corporate manslaughter legislation in place, implementing ‘duty of care’ programmes is key to employers reducing their fleet risk. The practical defensive driver training that DriveTech will be supplying as part of Risk Assist is enjoyable to do, easy to apply in everyday driving situations and has proven to reduce insurance claims dramatically.

‘Eco driving techniques are becoming an increasingly popular requirement too and we incorporate these into our training as well, which has the double benefit of helping both employers and employees as private motorists. In partnership with ING we will be helping not only to drive down fleet running costs but also reduce drivers’ exposure to road risk.’

The new Risk Assist service is available to all existing ING customers and new customers from September 2008. Businesses requiring more information should contact ING Car Lease on info@ingcarlease.co.uk.

Further information about all the DriveTech brands can be obtained from www.drivetech.co.uk

For further information, members of the media should contact
Steve Johnson on direct line +44 (0)1344 467896, mobile +44 (0)7894 621134 or on steve.johnson@drivetech.co.uk

Editor's Notes

DriveTech (UK) plc is one of the UK’s leading providers of road risk management, driver assessment and education. We work both with organisations whose employees ‘drive for work’ and with members of the public, who are offered education as an alternative to prosecution by the police.

DriveTech’s vision is ‘working together to eliminate road death and serious injuries’ by providing the most effective and innovative solutions, using education and technology, to minimise risk for all road users.

DriveTech (UK) has won the Institute of Transport Management’s (ITM) ‘Fleet Award for Driver Training’ in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and the ‘European Driver Safety Specialist’ award in 2005. In September 2007, it was named the ITM’s ‘UK Driver Training Solutions Specialist’ for making ‘the most significant impact upon the Driver Training and Safety sector over the past decade’.

In 2007, DriveTech (UK) won the South England and South Wales regional award of the Bank of Scotland Corporate ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ of up to £5m, interest-free funding and was runner-up in the national Grand Finale. In addition, the company was named runner-up in the 2007 Thames Valley ‘Business of the Year’ award.