The Safer Essex Roads Partnership launches bespoke business driver training

Why is a quality driver training programme essential?

Over a third of those killed or seriously injured on Essex roads involved a commercial vehicle or those on work trips. The SERP is urging businesses across the county to take advantage of Business Driving in Essex training, to keep their employees safe on the road, reduce risk, protect organisational reputation and ensure compliance of health and safety laws.   

The statistics speak for themselves; driving is the highest risk activity that most employees will ever undertake. Managing this risk is essential in order to protect drivers and other road users from harm, to fulfil the responsibility of company directors and business owners and to protect the reputation of the company itself.

Business Driving in Essex training is about companies demonstrating that road safety is more than just a tick box exercise, and it provides a ream of benefits including better employee health and safety, enhanced efficiency, reduced likelihood of costly collisions, and preventing increased insurance fees in the future. 

Training is designed to equip drivers with the skills and knowledge to ensure their safety whilst undertaking their daily activities, which will protect the future integrity of the fleet.

The programme’s interactive workshops are growing in demand within the business community and in addition, trainers can offer in-vehicle, practical driver training. The team is on hand to provide expert guidance and caters to a variety of vehicles, including grey fleet, vans, lorries, minibuses and they can also review current driving policies within the company and if required, help write one.

Drivers will be trained on a range of important topics relating to their daily duties behind the wheel, including hazard awareness, perception, fuel efficient driving and defensive driving.

Help your business comply with current legislation, saves costs, and improves performance.

To register your interest in Business Driving in Essex, email: driverintervention@essex.gov.uk

For more information, visit: www.saferessexroads.org/business-driving-in-essex/

Why companies need a driving for work policy

Implementing and maintaining a Driving for Work Policy is critical in ensuring employee safety, legal compliance, and operational efficiency. This policy not only helps protect employees who drive as part of their work but also serves as a risk management tool, safeguarding your company and its reputation.

Enhanced Safety:

Driving for work is statistically the most hazardous activity an employee can perform, contributing to up to a third of those killed or seriously injured on Essex roads.

A formal policy can establish safe driving practices that help protect not only our employees, but also other road users.

Legal Compliance:

Employers must ensure all employees driving for work are adequately insured for ‘business use,’ even if only driving occasionally for work purposes.

Health and safety laws require employers to extend the same duty of care to employees using private (grey fleet) vehicles as they do to those using company-owned or leased vehicles. This includes implementing safety protocols, training, and compliance checks for all drivers.

Business Efficiency:

Well-managed driver practices minimise risks, reduce accident rates, and prevent business disruption, whilst poorly managed driving practices can result in higher insurance premiums, costly maintenance, and increased fuel consumption.

Policy Best Practices and Requirements

At a minimum, policies should be reviewed annually. Some companies conduct reviews every six months, to ensure alignment with the latest laws and standards.

Policy Oversight: it is recommended that a director or senior manager is assigned responsibility for policy creation, communication, review, and compliance monitoring.

Mick Kiely- Fleet Manager, TES2000

Business Driving in Essex not only offers a bespoke driver training programme, but can also support employers with writing a driving to work policy: Business driving in Essex - saferessexroads.org