Driving for Better Business (DfBB) is to share latest advice and support on fleet road risk management at the Health and Safety Event.

Simon Turner, campaign manager, Driving for Better Business

The event takes place on 5-7 April 2022 at the NEC, Birmingham and will include a Driver Safety Zone incorporating a conference in the Driver Safety Theatre to provide comprehensive guidance on how fleets can comply with their duty of care to drivers.

The government-backed DfBB campaign says that driving and riding safely for work have changed dramatically in recent years with a booming gig economy and the steady increase in grey fleet use. The pandemic has accelerated the growth in online shopping and delivery, and vehicle technology continues to evolve, making driving both safer and more complex.

“On top of all this, we have revisions to the Highway Code coming into force this month which means HGVs, buses, vans, taxis and cars are subject to a new road-user hierarchy that gives the highest priority to those who are considered most at risk: pedestrians and cyclists, children, older adults and people with disabilities,” said Simon Turner, campaign manager for Driving for Better Business.

“For those who manage occupational road risk, there’s a lot to learn, and a lot to communicate to your drivers. We’re here to share resources, provide support and encouragement and help find any gaps in current operations.”

Topics under focus in the Driver Safety Zone include how the revisions to the Highway Code that affect those driving for work, driver training requirements for van drivers/young drivers, tackling driver distraction and fatigue, the need to address driver health and wellbeing, and understanding legal responsibilities.

Speakers in the Driver Safety Theatre include Nina Day from HSE on the personal responsibility within the transport chain, Mark Soden from Cleartrack Performance on lessons from professional sport that can help improve safety leadership, experts in the field of managing driver distraction, fatigue and wellbeing, plus some of the most experienced driver safety managers sharing their stories and answering your questions.

Visitors to the Driver Safety Zone will be able to take part in live demonstrations on how to make sure your drivers are performing their daily vehicle checks properly. With almost half of all vans failing their MOTs at the first attempt, this is vital information on how to ensure your vehicles are roadworthy at all times.

Simon Turner added: “The Driver Safety Zone at this year’s Health and Safety Event is the place to be if you want the latest advice on guidance from real experts on how to manage driver safety effectively.”

For details of the line-up, click here.