Why improving the skills and abilities of your drivers can be a very worthwhile investment. By Colin Paterson, head of marketing, RED Corporate Driver Training.

Colin Paterson, head of marketing at RED Corporate Driver Training

Driving for work, whether commuting, making deliveries or attending meetings, is among the most hazardous activities we perform – yet it’s often neglected. UK stats indicate there are still around 1,700 road deaths a year and some 30,000 seriously injuries, so there’s more to be done in 2025 and beyond to reduce these stats and their associated – and significant – costs.

Where better to start trying to do something about those figures than to protect and support your business? Surely that’s much better than doing nothing and leaving things to chance. RED offers a range of services to ensure that driver safety and compliance remain priorities for businesses, such as regular refresher checks, training and licence verification.

New employees are a particular focus because it’s the best time to influence driving behaviours. It’s crucial for businesses to clearly communicate their expectations regarding driving skills and attitude. Knowing what vehicles employees will drive, where they will drive them and when helps in creating a formal training plan for each driver, emphasising safety for both employees and other road users.

When incidents inevitably occur, targeted training interventions are available for drivers identified as high-risk. Specialist drivers can get specialist training (and should!). All drivers must be reminded regularly that safety comes first. The moral implications of road traffic accidents are significant, affecting victims, families and friends. Additionally, there are financial and legal reasons to adopt a proactive driver risk approach.

Formats for flexibility

RED Corporate Driver Training has developed ‘SafetyFirst’, an online control and support system. This cloud-based platform helps organisations manage their drivers effectively and ensure compliance. You can find out more about the benefits of the system at the Great British Fleet Event on 8 May 2025.

The SafetyFirst platform helps organisations manage their drivers effectively and ensure compliance

The system can be accessed by fleet controllers, administrators and drivers to ensure accurate driver profiles, periodic licence checks and timely e-learning and on-road training interventions. Prevention is better than cure – and strong support from top management is essential.

RED supports clients through various levels and phases. Ideally, this involves a regular driving assessment programme with tailored e-learning modules covering areas such as parking, long-distance driving, fatigue management, speed control, urban and rural driving and much more.

Different people learn in different ways and have varying work pressures, so the training programme should be pragmatic and effective. In addition to online assessments and education, RED offers workshops, webinars and practical on-road training. This includes advanced driving techniques, skid control, HGV licence acquisition and trailer towing training at the RED Corporate Driver Training Centre at Donington Park in the East Midlands. We also provide 4×4 off-road training for specific work needs at RED Donington.

RED’s training embraces new technologies, delivered by knowledgeable trainers. Driver assistance technology is becoming more common, but many businesses don’t realise their staff may not fully understand them. We offer ADAS (automatic driver assistance systems) content to explain how to maximise the safety benefits of features such as automatic emergency braking, intelligent speed assistance and lane assist.

Wider safety strategy

A comprehensive road and driver risk programme is key. Share policies widely and enthusiastically within the business and offer a blended range of training content in different formats to appeal to all drivers, even those who are cynical, stubborn or time-poor. Choosing the right partner is crucial. Work with a trusted partner who has a continuous commitment to road and driver safety as a core mission and offers flexibility and a genuine understanding of your needs.