Companies urged to train safer drivers

Companies with fleet drivers are being urged to lead the way in tackling road safety head on by introducing higher safety standards.

The Institute of Advanced Mortorists (IAM) is calling on businesses to introduce the ISO 39001 accreditation specifically, allowing them to prove that their drivers have met some of the highest standards in road safety.

Figures revealed show that there are around 200 casualties and deaths on the United Kingdom's roads per week as a result of accidents involving motorists travelling for work.

Between 2008 and 2014 the total amount of people killed in accidents involving a driver or rider driving for work reached over 4,000.

The numbers have proved troubling to the IAM, whose 'Drive & Survive' arm released a survey in 2014 revealing that 72% of people who drove for business reasons had not been offered advanced driving training by their employers, despite 44% stating that they would be glad of the opportunity.

One of the most stringent test criteria, ISO 39001 is guided by relevant government agencies to set out the minimum requirements for a Road Traffic Safety Management system.

The IAM have made no secret of their disappointment that more companies are not improving the safety and driving standards of their staff.

“This is a problem that people conveniently sweep under the carpet,” says Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research, “It simply isn’t enough to give an employee a vehicle and send him on his way as a representative of your organisation – there is too much at stake.

“All employers have a duty of care to ensure that all company drivers are competent and they are not a risk to themselves, other road users and pedestrians.”