Fleet operators are being urged to carry out regular driver risk assessments to meet their legal obligations and reduce the likelihood of work-related road collisions.
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must conduct risk assessments for employees who drive for work. Failing to do so can lead to criminal prosecution and civil liability in the event of an accident.
While completing an initial assessment is an important step, industry experts warn it should not be treated as a one-off exercise. Drivers’ skills, attitudes and behaviours can change over time, influenced by life events, job role changes or different driving environments.
Responsible fleets are therefore encouraged to reassess drivers annually and following incidents or changes in working conditions, and to provide targeted driver training where weaknesses are identified.
Graham Hurdle, managing director at E-Training World, said: “Too many companies feel driver risk assessment is a one-off exercise. Health & Safety Managers know that areas such as fire and electrical safety require regular maintenance and testing.
“Driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do at work, and it should be routinely assessed and checked in the same way. One serious collision could cost a life, damage a business’s reputation, and incur significant costs.
“By profiling your drivers every year or after incidents or changes in work conditions, and providing ongoing training, companies can create a long-term culture of road safety, protecting their drivers and their business, too. Annual assessment also helps monitor your risk profile, providing essential data for reducing collisions.”
E-Training World’s driver profiling platform uses hundreds of assessment questions, generating a different set each time a driver completes the process. The system allows annual assessments to be scheduled automatically and provides data to help fleets track driver risk and identify training needs.
The company pioneered online driver profiling and training and now works with some of the UK’s largest fleet operators. Its technology is also used as a branded or white-labelled platform by insurance companies, fleet management providers, accident management firms, driver training businesses and vehicle rental specialists.
