That's according to E-Training World's managing director, Graham Hurdle, who says that the fleet market has seen incredible progress in the duty of care but with quite broad variances in the frequency that companies carry out risk assessments.

Hurdle added: “Our advice would be to make this an annual event so that you can keep tight control over your occupational road risk, save money through less accidents and build a culture of safe driving as a result.”

Hurdle’s view echos that of Andrew Wetters, policy advisor workplace transport at the Health and Safety Executive, who told a seminar organised by ACFO last year that employers should conduct driver risk assessments at least annually.

“At E-Training World our risk assessment covers a driver’s attitude, knowledge, concentration & observation, and their hazard perception skills,” added Hurdle.

“Profiling drivers in this way has a number of key functions. It enables companies to risk assess drivers in the workplace for health and safety purposes, it defines each driver’s training needs, and it also places a focus on safe driving and accident reduction across the business.

“In fact, most businesses see an immediate reduction in accidents the moment they start profiling – even before they carry out any form of training – because drivers are more careful, knowing that they are being monitored, and they learn from the assessment process.”