Tougher safe driving policies needed

Employers that allow young people to drive on work-related journeys must implement tougher policies and procedures than those typically associated with older drivers to help cut crashes involving motorists aged under 25 years old.

Fleet software and risk management specialist Jaama says organisations should set a minimum age at which employees are allowed to drive both a company-provided vehicle or their own vehicle on business trips and a minimum time period between an employee, particularly a young person, passing their driving test and driving on company business.

In addition, it suggests fleets should stipulate that young drivers’ licences should be checked more frequently than those of older drivers; limit by performance the type of cars young employees are allowed to drive on business journeys; and test young drivers’ skills behind the wheel with a familiarisation drive under the watchful eye of the fleet manager prior to being allowed to driver alone on work-related journeys.

Road crashes are the major cause of death and injury among 15-24-year-old in Britain, with 23% of 18-24 year olds had crashed within six months of passing their test.

Martin Evans, Jaama’s sales and operations director, says employers have a critical role to play in cutting young driver death and injury on the roads.

He said: “The driver of any car can potentially become a killer. However, all the research shows that young drivers are most at risk.

“Employers can try and limit those risks by, for example, not allowing young and newly qualified drivers to take to the wheel of vehicles above a prescribed brake horsepower (bhp) and also ensuring they are familiar with the vehicle.

“We would also recommend a minimum age policy and a minimum time period between an employee passing their driving test and being allowed to drive for work. It is clear from the research that age and inexperience is a lethal combination in terms of road safety.”

Evans added: “Additionally, as part of corporate duty of care policies and procedures, fleet decision-makers should ensure staff skill levels are of a sufficient calibre to drive what will probably be a totally unfamiliar car.

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