Recent DfBB Press Releases
Today sees the launch of the Business Driving Toolkit, a new online solution that allows businesses to simply and yet comprehensively manage their duty of care towards employees who drive for work
Designed for use by HR departments, fleet managers, senior management and transport managers alike, it addresses the Health and Safety Executive requirement for a corporate risk assessment
Fleets and private new car buyers in Britain are in the slow lane compared with some other European countries in accepting life-saving eSafety technologies.
Two of Britain's safest fleets that are supporters of the 'Driving for Better Business' campaign have won national industry awards.
St Albans-based high quality fit out and refurbishment specialist Hannaford, and Luton-headquartered Vauxhall, won respectively the Fleet Safety Award for Small Fleets and the Fleet Safety Award for Large Fleets in the 2011 Fleet World Honours.
The annual Fleet World Honours were presented at a ceremony at London's Royal Automobile Club today (Wednesday, May 11). They are awarded by the monthly trade publication to those fleets, van manufacturers and service organisations that have, in the opinion of the judging panel composed of industry experts, achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector.
Hannaford operates a 29-strong company car and van fleet and eight employees drive their own cars on business.
Vauxhall remains the only motor company to become a campaign 'business champion'. Overseen by fleet risk manager Simon Monk, the company has introduced a string of initiatives that have resulted in halving the number of road crashes involving vehicles on its 600-strong fleet and a significant cut in annual insurance premiums.
Steve Moody, editor of Fleet World, and chairman of the 2011 Fleet World judging panel, said: "It is important that the Fleet World Honours recognise not only the high quality products and services available from the fleet suppliers, but also the high standards of professionalism that exist within the fleet management sector. It is always a pleasure to meet people like Leigh Stiff at Hannaford and Simon Monk from Vauxhall who have made such a significant contribution to the safe running of their fleets."
Adrian Walsh, director RoadSafe said: "Hannaford is a classic SME. The management team realised the need to address the risks associated with duty of care and wanted to ensure the fleet was protected 100%, so they employed a dedicated and experienced fleet manager to ensure total control and a focus on safety. Dedicated policies and systems were put in place to cover the different vehicle types and categories of driver and the result has been a significant reduction in accident rates, and hence in overall fleet running costs."
It is the first time that Mr Stiff has received an award for his fleet work. He said: "I am totally elated to be recognised with this award. It's reassuring to know we can make a difference and become recognised in the industry for effectively managing our road risks."
Congratulating Vauxhall, Mr Walsh said: "The Vauxhall Safe Driving Team has worked closely with key stakeholders including its managing director, fleet insurer, trades unions and board directors to develop a robust 'best practice' model for managing and monitoring road safety related risk.
'It is aimed at reducing the collision rate of the fleet, reducing the risk of harm, meeting all relevant legislation, meeting its corporate social responsibility and reducing the direct cost associated with motor collisions.
'The programme the company introduced was most comprehensive and included a revised and comprehensive safe driving policy; a driver handbook, which includes detailed safe driving and insurance information; an in-depth fleet safety audit; and a communications strategy which includes regular driver newsletters, e-mail reminders on key issues like mobile phone use; and a 'Safe Driving' pamphlet endorsed by the managing director.'
Mr Monk said: "I am delighted that the robust occupational road risk management programme that Vauxhall has developed over the last few years has resulted in this award. This kind of honour helps maintain the momentum of the programme both inside and outside of the business."
Crash costs per driver at leading vehicle leasing and fleet management company
ING Car Lease have reduced by more than 60% in four years following the implementation of a comprehensive risk management strategy.
The improvement as a result of the introduction of Risk Assist, which is also available to ING Car Lease's 1,000 customer accounts, has led to the organisation becoming the latest to become a 'business champion' and be enrolled into the Driving for Better Business campaign
The corporate sector has a huge role to play in reducing the number of people killed and injured on the world's road in the Decade of Action for Road Safety, which will be launched next month.
The Driving for Better Business campaign, which is managed by RoadSafe, is one of the influential UK-based supporters of the United Nations-backed initiative, which will be launched on Wednesday, May 11.