AN accident and risk management specialist is urging fleets to 'sit up and take notice' of Government initiatives to get tough on drivers who break the law.

The call from Willis Motor Initiatives follows warnings of new police powers that mean 'annoying' company car drivers could have their vehicles confiscated. Fleet decision-makers need to be aware of their legal responsibilities and take the time to implement effective safety systems to reduce work-related risks, according to Willis.

Sales and marketing director Nick Williams, of Willis Motor Initiatives accident management service DRIVE, said: 'Staff training is not the only answer. There must be an ongoing management of safety issues applied across the whole organisation. Accurate data, which can help fleet decision-makers monitor the effectiveness of their fleet, is vitally important. Companies that manage staff risk can save lives, reduce accident costs, improve their public image and boost their overall health and safety culture.'

Driver safety checklist

It may be an offence for an organisation to set its drivers schedules which could cause them to break speed limits or have reward systems which effectively turn a journey task into a race

It could be an offence for an organisation, as well as a driver, to require or permit an employee to drive an unroadworthy vehicle

There is a requirement for drivers involved in accidents to exchange names and details of insurers and where such accidents involve injury to any party, drivers must report them to the police within 24 hours

All drivers must hold a valid driving licence for the class of vehicle they are asked to drive

Vehicles must be taxed and have a valid test certificate and drivers must be insured
Source: Willis Motor Initiatives