A survey of almost 40 business champions from the Driving for Better Business campaign has revealed 90% of respondents want to see a post-test driving for work qualification for youngsters.
In addition, 71% of those questioned don’t believe the current learner driver training and testing process prepares 17-24-years-old for the challenge of at-work driving.
While the majority (76%) of business champion fleets allow young employees to drive on business - 24% don’t - many impose restraints on them as part of their safe driving procedures.
Those measures include:
• 48% of ‘business champion’ fleets restrict the size of vehicle young employees are allowed to drive
• 33% restrict the performance of the vehicle
• 19% ban youngsters from taking to the road in adverse weather conditions
• 14% ban them driving at night
As the Government continues to compile its 2011-2020 road safety strategy of which a greater focus on preparing youngsters for the hazards of driving is expected to play a key part, a new online RoSPA guide will highlight key safety issues for employers to deliver in workshops.
Guide content is based on a series of 12 pilot workshops attended by up to 15 young drivers devised by RoSPA and hosted by a cross-section of employers.