New guidance is now available for fleets on how to address safety and compliance issues, both now and in a post-pandemic future.

The ‘Road Safety Pays Dividends’ free-to-download 14-page publication provides best practice advice on drivers, vehicles and journeys to help support a post-pandemic recovery

The guide has been published by the Fleet Industry Advisory Group (FIAG), which says it has major concerns over how Covid-19 is affecting the safety and compliance of vehicle fleets.

These include the risk of vehicles becoming unroadworthy while not in operation and the increasing number of fleet professionals being furloughed, made redundant or taking early retirement; FIAG says personnel and organisational changes may have led to health and safety responsibilities being compromised during Covid.

These and other issues are covered in the ‘Road Safety Pays Dividends’ free-to-download 14-page publication.

Chairman Ian Housley said: “It is vital to begin the recovery from this unprecedented experience by ensuring best practice processes are implemented that cover drivers, vehicles and journeys.

“Companies need to recognise that drivers of company vehicles need to be an inclusive component of a pandemic recovery plan.

“As well as protecting the considerable investment made in vehicle fleets by employers it will help improve operational efficiencies, reduce costs and make driving safer,” he added.

The guide also covers embracing the green revolution, including the adoption of electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles in the future.

And it helps provide guidance on delivering a post Covid-19 cost-effective fleet operation at a time when the traditional fleet manager has become almost non-existent within many organisations. As a result many companies have lost the in-house knowledge and skills necessary to support business recovery.

“The squeeze on fleet managers is getting worse as more than ever vehicle fleets are being managed by someone as part of a much wider remit and often without any true fleet management experience,” reminded Housley.

FIAG member Graham Bellman, who recently retired as fleet director of Travis Perkins, also said the ‘Road Safety Pays Dividends’ philosophy can bring about fleet savings.

He said: “Act on the guide’s recommendations and it will not only ensure you comply with current legislation, but as we proved the savings achieved within the fleet operation were around 15% based on driver management, improved systems and reporting and proactive driver engagement.”

To download a free copy of the FIAG guide, click here.