Why Risk Management?

Why Fleet Management Matters

Government data reveals that each year, roughly 40,000 individuals sustain injuries in accidents involving drivers on the job. It’s crucial to note that these figures account for reported injuries alone, leaving countless incidents unaccounted for. Moreover, numerous collisions result in vehicle or property damage, exacerbating the potential risks. Surprisingly, the probability of an injury collision occurring while driving for work stands at just 1 in 500, a ratio that underlines the misleading optimism harboured by many individuals who never fathom such an event occurring to them.

Consider this: if you manage a fleet comprising 500 vehicles, statistical expectations dictate that your drivers will likely be entangled in at least one injury-related collision annually on average. However, the odds could become even less favorable if drivers and vehicles are not managed and supervised effectively.

Under the purview of the Health and Safety at Work Act, those entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing drivers and vehicles bear a legal duty of care. This duty necessitates taking “reasonably practicable” measures to mitigate risks for staff members and others potentially affected by the company’s operations. In essence, this legislation mandates several pivotal obligations:

1. The company must avoid actions that endanger drivers.
2. Work-related driving activities must not pose threats to other road users.
3. Directors must implement suitable policies and protocols to uphold these standards.
4. All employees, encompassing drivers, managers, and directors, must consistently adhere to these policies and procedures.

Navigating this framework successfully hinges on comprehending how these legal obligations are distributed across all tiers of the business structure:

• Directors and managers shoulder the responsibility of recognising and managing risks while establishing necessary policies and procedures.
• Drivers, in turn, are accountable for abiding by these procedures and exercising responsible conduct on the road, including adherence to the Highway Code.
• Line managers, work schedulers, and similar roles play a crucial part in managing risks by preventing undue pressures that might induce speeding or fatigue among drivers.

Coordinated awareness of these responsibilities and their collective fulfilment yields a range of benefits, such as:

• Lowered risk exposure for drivers during their journeys.
• Diminished likelihood of the business being held at fault for accidents, thereby reducing the risk of prosecution and substantial fines.
• Decreased operational expenses linked to the fleet, including insurance, fuel, and maintenance costs.

In summary, entrusting driver risk management to chance is a perilous gamble. Effective measures, informed by knowledge and meticulous planning, are indispensable to safeguard drivers, other road users, and your business from potential harm. Through concerted efforts, the tangible advantages manifest not only in improved road safety but also in the resilience and prosperity of your business as a whole.