In fighting for survival during the current economic downturn, many small businesses are exposing themselves to a costly risk.

“Unintentionally they are failing in duty of care commitments to their work driving employees,” said Professor Peter Russell, director of the Driver Education Research Foundation (DERF).

Speaking exclusively to Business Car Manager, Professor Russell, a qualified driver training and road safety expert, said: “The message is very real. It is not just company requirements to meet delivery deadlines that cause vehicle crashes.

“Employers not only have a responsibility for the condition of their vehicles; they must also take full responsibility for their drivers’ abilities to concentrate on the driving task in all weathers and traffic conditions.

“Tired drivers are most at risk, especially when sudden changes are thrust on them. It is not enough to say that they must take their obligatory rests; employers also need to know how competent and confident their drivers are at all times.”

So taking an eye off Health & Safety (H&S) on the road can be costly. The risk is an employee being held responsible for causing an injury accident, with subsequent police and H&S investigations revealing lack of employer duty of care.

H&S penalties against employers can be hefty fines – up to £20,000 – a cost no small company can afford. Failure to meet H&S requirements can also result in rising business vehicle insurance costs.

Drivers on the road for business require regular checks of their road craft, overall driving ability and safety, including hours at the wheel. Their licences require annual validity checks for insurance as well as H&S compliance.

Professional Tip: an efficient local authority sets a good business driving example. Just as it chooses top (triple AAA) rated banks and building societies in which to invest tax payers’ money, it is equally selective in employee driver checks and training to H&S requirements.

Surrey-based Universal Driver Training (UDT) has a “variety of driver assessment, refresher, and advanced driving courses in action for several local authorities”.

Says chief executive Peter Jones: “They are sending a fascinating cross section of business driving staff. These include civil and highway engineers, finance services personnel, refuse truck drivers, parking bay suspension staff, and parking meter cash collectors.”

Further information

For more on this read The law and corporate manslaughter

No business can afford a slip in driver health & safety