Lookers plc’s Fleet division has partnered with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to deliver its new ‘Lookers DriveSafe’ programme, with the aim of lessening the potential number of deaths or serious injuries across their client base and managed fleet operations.

(From L-R) Rick Wood, head of training with RoSPA’s Fleet Division and Andrew Pace, head of Lookers Fleet Services.

Recent government statistics illustrate that motor traffic is continuing to increase with an estimated 311 billion vehicle miles being driven on UK roads in 2014, up 2.4% on previous years.

Deaths and serious injuries have continued to rise on UK roads by 4% and 5% respectively over the same period.  There were 797 car occupant fatalities in 2014, accounting for 45% of total road deaths that year in the UK alone.

Lookers will work with clients to identify risks within their fleet and then create a solution, from computer-based training to on-road coaching, in order to minimise those risks.

Andrew Pace, head of Lookers Fleet Services, commented; “RoSPA were the obvious choice to deliver our new ‘Lookers DriveSafe’ initiative. Lookers DriveSafe will work with the client to identify risks within their fleet and then create a solution, from computer-based training to on-road coaching, in order to minimise those risks. Ultimately, our goal is to reduce road accidents and injuries and thus save lives.

“For almost 100 years, RoSPA has been quietly working behind the scenes to change both legislation and attitudes surrounding accidents. From the compulsory wearing of seatbelts and the campaign to stop drink driving, to the more recent ban on handheld mobile phones behind the wheel, RoSPA has been instrumental in shaping our society for the better, preventing millions of deaths and serious injuries along the way.

“Fleet managers across the UK are realising there is a growing need to do more than the usual driver licence checks. Yes, licence checks form a fundamental part of the bigger picture – but in isolation they do little to identify a driver’s risk awareness or behaviour behind the wheel. Road Accidents while at work are the biggest cause of occupation fatality in the UK.”