As the recent accident on the M5 illustrates, driving on business continues to demand the highest levels of occupational road risk management. With winter approaching, businesses are being reminded about the need not only to have an appropriate policy in place, but also to proactively monitor the performance of work related road safety on a regular basis.

Businesses that can identify poor driving behaviour such as harsh acceleration, braking or excessive speeding can then implement specific measures to help improve their employees’ driving style and reduce the associated risk. Without such monitoring, however, companies potentially leave themselves at risk from prosecution, besides the financial impact from poor fuel consumption and higher running costs.

ALD believes that one of the most effective ways of monitoring driver behaviour is via telematics such as ProFleet2, not only to highlight any behaviour which could impact on risk but, more importantly, to measure the success of any subsequent actions taken  using online management reporting.

Commenting on the findings, Keith Allen (Inset), managing director of ALD Automotive (UK) said: ‘It’s in the interest of every business to ensure that employees driving on work-related journeys are driving in a way which minimises the risk and cost to both themselves and to the company. Technology, and in particular telematics, can play a significant part in identifying employees potentially at risk and using the reporting available businesses can then take the necessary steps to implement change.’