Driving Insight - Industry Views
Comment in response to the Department for Transport's Safer and Fuel Efficient Drivers Scheme Ian McKenzie, group business development director, FMG Support
“It is encouraging that the Government recognises van driving as a profession that requires continued training and development just like many other occupations. Addressing the relationship between safe driving and the impact this can have on reducing fuel consumption, controlling costs, and benefiting the environment should be integral to any effective safety strategy that is focused on improving overall fleet performance.
“If this is to be tackled properly, the Government and business must consider all those who drive at work and understand the importance of integrating a long-term solution that is focused on the needs of individual fleets. Even with increased support, such benefits cannot be delivered unless safety is embraced by everyone in an organisation and is driven from the board.”
This is a positive step, but it should not be regarded as a ‘quick-fix’ solution to solving safety or environmental issues. An effective strategy cannot begin and end with driver training. Not only does this sidestep the importance of diagnosing the reasons behind why incidents and ineffective driving occur, there is an absence of ongoing monitoring and evaluation of performance data to measure the success of a safety programme.
If this is to be tackled properly, the Government and business must consider all those who drive at work and understand the importance of integrating a long-term solution that is focused on the needs of individual fleets. Even with increased support, such benefits cannot be delivered unless safety is embraced by everyone in an organisation and is driven from the board. Instilling the right mindset amongst all employees in every department, including contract workers and giving the issues the attention that they deserve, is the first step to integrating an effective policy within the business process. If this can be achieved, the programme will have stronger foundations from which to grow, which will ensure long-term legal compliance, increase profitability, positively benefit the environment and most importantly will help the business fulfil its obligations of corporate well-being.”
