Background Information

Workplace driving is an organisational risk and occupational safety issue. Fleet crashes, even minor crashes can be costly to an organisation and affect the bottom line. Even the most profitable organisation can suffer unnecessary costs if they do not have optimal fleet safety management systems in place.

It has been estimated that:

· Between 20-30% of fleet vehicles crash each year

· Fleet crash costs are equal to 13-15% of fleet spending

· Drivers of company vehicles have 50% more crashes that private drivers

· Road crashes is the most common form of work-related death

· Companies with active road safety programs have achieved 30-65% reductions in work-related traffic accidents and associated costs. (Accident Research Centre, Monash University)

In the UK:

· road death is the most likely way for 4-44-year-olds to die;

· there are about 4 times more work-related road fatalities than non vehicle -based work-fatalities;

· Labour Force survey data suggests that there are approximately 77,000 road-related injuries a year to employees

· Insurance data shows that between 20% and 65% of company cars are involved in an accident every year. (The Safety & Health Practitioner, May, 2004)

“The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 requires you to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all employees while at work. You also have a responsibility to ensure that others are not put at risk by your work-related driving activities. (Self-employed people have a similar responsibility to that of employers.) Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, you have a responsibility to manage health and safety effectively. You need to carry out an assessment of the risks to the health and safety of your employees, while they are at work, and to other people who may be affected by their work activities. The Regulations require you to periodically review your risk assessment so that it remains appropriate. You are required to consult with your employees, and where applicable, their health and safety representatives, on the health and safety issues..” (Driving at Work, Department for Transport, UK, 2003)