Permits to drive aid fleet’s safety

Drivers working for security firm Reliance Security Services must qualify for a company-supplied driving licence before they are permitted to use company vehicles.

As part of a major health and safety move, the company has enlisted the services of Inchcape Fleet Solutions and is using its “permit to drive” scheme.

The initiative sees all the company’s Patrol Net mobile response drivers, as well as new recruits, undergoing a driving licence check against the DVLA database and completing an online risk profile before being given a permit.

Drivers highlighted as high-risk after completing the 30-minute online risk assessment, which focuses on eight different driving traits – aggression, alertness, stress, dislike of driving, anticipation, attention, violation and error – must undergo driver training and are granted a “temporary permit to drive”.

A driver database is then used to continually monitor individual employees to provide a continuous performance measurement, taking into account any accidents or motoring offences.

The report can then be used to highlight any further driver training requirements. Reliance Patrol Net director Sandra Burrell said: “With over 100 Patrol Net vehicles on the road, we take the health and safety of our officers extremely seriously.

“This initiative supports our commitment to the welfare of our employees and provides reassurance to our customers of our ability to perform our duties to the highest standard of professionalism.”

The company appointed Inchcape Fleet Solutions as a supplier to its 1,000-strong car and van fleet earlier this year.

Inchcape managing director Terry Bartlett said: “The ever-increasing government, Health and Safety Executive and police focus on occupational driving means that all companies must have comprehensive risk management policies and procedures in place.”