Fleet operators are being urged to take action on road risk management as new research finds many areas for improvement.

The Brake research found 31.1% of fleets don’t provide any training on staying within legal speed limits

According to latest research by road safety charity Brake, fewer than half (37.9%) of operators have an organisation-wide policy banning all employees from using hands-free phones at the wheel.

The annual Fleet Safety Survey also found that only three in ten (33%) of the 200-plus respondents require a full eyesight test for all new staff who driver for work, or proof they had one recently.

Just half (53.2%) strongly agree that their organisation sees licence checking as a priority while a third (31.1%) don’t provide any training, even basic, on staying within legal speed limits.

And one in 10 (11.7%) have vehicle safety ratings as their top priority when making purchasing and leasing decisions.

This year’s Fleet Safety Survey, conducted with the support of Licence Bureau, covered the six key areas of the Brake Pledge:

Slow – within speed limits

Sober – free from alcohol or drugs

Sharp – not tired, ill or with poor eyesight

Silent – phone off and out of reach

Secure – belted up in a safe vehicle

Sustainable – only when you have to

The Pledge is also the theme of this year’s Road Safety Week, which takes place 21 – 27 November 2016. The complete Fleet Safety Survey report is available as a free resource for Brake Professional members, and any organisations that register for Road Safety Week.

Mike Reed, marketing director at Licence Bureau, said: “This year’s Brake Pledge is a great focal point for fleet management. Especially when the findings of the fleet safety survey highlight many qualified areas for improvement. Take your time read through it. See what you are missing and where you can make a difference.”