So says Applied Driving Techniques, adding that as many as four-fifths of car and van fleets are still operating either partially or completely non-compliantly with work-related road safety, despite increasing awareness of risk management following the publication of the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) revised guide on managing work-related road safety,

Director Andy Phillips said: ‘Business driving is the foremost occupational hazard with over 30% of road deaths attributed to work-related activity each year,’ said Phillips. ‘However, we are finding many companies still do not have appropriate policies in place that have been correctly communicated to employees. Furthermore, there is often little or no visibility over employees using their own vehicles, so it is often impossible to know whether they are driving legally.’

Under current legislation, companies need to be able to demonstrate that they have minimised risk to both drivers and members or the public, so ADT says it is essential that written policies exist that have been shared and agreed by employees. However, there is still a large number of companies that do not have clear fleet management policies in place, and where they do, it is often only provided to those that drive the company’s own vehicles.

For grey fleet drivers, organisations are typically undertaking licence checking for grey fleet drivers, but often have limited understanding whether vehicles are fit for purpose. As a result, there is no means of validating if a vehicle being driven for business purposes has been correctly taxed, insured and properly maintained. This means in the event of a collision the company will have failed in its duty of care and could be at risk of prosecution under HSE guidance and Corporate Manslaughter laws.

‘Companies should not turn a blind eye or overlook the obligations the law places upon them regarding the management of owned or grey fleet vehicles. By better managing risk and achieving high levels of legal compliance, it is possible to enhance employee safety and wellbeing, protect corporate reputation and operate a responsible fleet,’ concluded Phillips.