Fleet operators are being urged to review their road risk procedures as new research finds a quarter of UK businesses do not conduct regular safety checks on vehicles used for business purposes.

UK fleets still exposing themselves to risk

The study by TomTom Telematics, conducted among senior managers at 400 UK businesses, also found that although 89% of businesses check driver documentation – such as licence and insurance details – only 43% do this more than once every six months.

A total of 15% of respondents admitted their organisations only check documentation when a new employee joins and do not schedule follow-up checks while amongst firms running grey fleets. A total of 21% don’t carry out checks on drivers’ insurance details.

Three-fifths (60%) of those who check driver documentation still do so manually, the study found, despite the paper counterpart to the photocard licence having been abolished more than two years ago.

“Ensuring vehicles and drivers are roadworthy is a fundamental requirement for any organisation that expects employees to drive for business purposes,” said Beverley Wise, director UK & Ireland at TomTom Telematics.

“If organisations are to safeguard employees and protect themselves from risk, it is important to have comprehensive systems in place not only for ensuring checks are conducted frequently but also to ensure findings are properly recorded and acted upon where necessary.”

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