Driving for Work: Mythbusters
52 common misconceptions – and the facts employers and drivers need to know
Myth 3: Breakdowns are unavoidable
While no vehicle is immune to mechanical failure, the majority of breakdowns are preventable with proper maintenance and regular checks.
The most common causes of breakdowns such as tyre failures, battery issues, and running out of fuel are almost entirely avoidable.
Drivers who carry out thorough pre-use vehicle checks and report defects promptly dramatically reduce breakdown risk.
Employers have a legal duty to ensure vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition so drivers must conduct these checks thoroughly.
A culture that treats breakdowns as inevitable rather than manageable is one that has stopped looking for ways to prevent them.
Driver takeaway:
Complete your daily walkaround check thoroughly and report defects immediately. You don’t want to be stranded at the side of the road due to a fault you should have picked up before you left.
Manager takeaway:
Ensure vehicles are serviced on schedule, defect reporting is taken seriously, and drivers have enough time built into their day to carry out proper pre-use checks using either a written or app-based checksheet. Ensure reported defects are dealt with promptly or drivers will stop doing checks.
