Almost 170 fleet operators were quizzed by fleet risk management and driver training specialist Pro-Drive on the reasons why they have not introduced appropriate policies.
Top of the list was budget constraints as funds have been allocated to other vital projects, followed by employee time constraints, with commercial pressures making it difficult to justify days spent driver training.
Pro-Drive managing director Graham Hurdle said: ‘Excuses will not help if there is a serious incident and, as a company director, you find the Health and Safety Executive or even the police on your doorstep.
‘And while we all appreciate that it is an important policy decision for any company to implement procedures and measures in line with their duty of care obligations, and it can take time to agree on the most effective approach, we find that many fleets continue to delay their decisions year-on-year.’
The company ran the same survey two years ago and found the top excuses then are the same as they are now.
Other reasons in the top five were a lack of management time, that businesses were considering reducing the fleet and the belief that ‘it’s been sorted’. Hurdle added: ‘It would be very easy for someone like me who champions road safety to adopt the moral high ground and advise fleet operators that they simply must find time and budget to meet their legal obligations.
‘However, it is understandable why companies delay when there is so much pressure on them in other areas.
‘Quite simply it is a balance of risk – albeit one hell of a gamble not to do anything at all.’
Login to comment
Comments
No comments have been made yet.