Fleet Operation now poses biggest single business risk

The number one risk of companies being prosecuted now stems from the way they manage - or mis-manage - their drivers. That's the stark view of Adrian Walsh, director of RoadSafe, who believes all managers need to be made fully aware of the risks they now face if they fail to tackle ‘duty of care’ responsibilities. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of a special Fleet Safety Advisory Panel convened by software specialist Chevin Fleet Solutions at the FIA Foundation’s offices in London, Mr. Walsh said: "The management of people employed by a company where driving is central to their employment is a fundamental Human Resources function, and all managers need to understand the dangers that driving poses to their businesses. Many companies have already realised that it’s the biggest single risk they face. "Therefore it’s important that this risk is understood – it’s all about managing people, the pressures on them and their time – not simply scrutinising their ability to drive. As part of helping in this process, modern software systems can be very valuable tools to assist managers in their understanding of these risks and to help them plan work regimes, record keeping and personal development." Ashley Sowerby, Managing Director of Chevin Fleet Solutions added: "We have already developed the necessary tools to monitor, analyse and review fleet operations – but are taking a very pro-active stance in seeking help from some of the country’s top fleet safety experts, to advise us on the right questions for fleet managers to ask, and to help them to maintain records which effectively manage their duty of care responsibilities. It was a very lively meeting which all concerned felt had taken discussions on fleet safety to new levels." Also present at the meeting were Roger Bibbings, occupational safety adviser at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, and David Ward, director general of the FIA Foundation. The meeting took place at the FIA Foundation’s offices overlooking Trafalgar Square. George Emmerson (of consultancy Fleet 21), the fifth member of the panel, was unable to attend.