The skills and attitudes of drivers employed by Thatcham are to be re-assessed.

Thatcham, the motor insurance repair research centre synonymous with safety, said that with occupational road risk management topping the agenda for fleet decision-makers, it is time for it to re-examine the skills of its 130 car-driving staff.

As a result, all of Thatcham’s employees who drive company car drivers, those who drive their own cars on business and pool car drivers must complete an at-work driving safety programme developed by DriveTech.

The centre already assesses its drivers. However, the DriveTech programme involves a comprehensive re-assessment of Thatcham’s existing risk management practices, with all at-work drivers undergoing an online risk assessment.

Those employees designated high risk must now undergo on-road driver training.

Meanwhile, all staff, including those rated as low or medium risk will attend safe culture workshops designed to encourage discussion and debate around safe driving practices.

“As a unique research centre with uniquely talented employees, we find our staff in great demand and, as the business mileage they are expected to cover increases, so the risk of collisions goes up,” Samantha Webb, HR manager at Thatcham, said.

“The safer driving programme with Drive Tech is about minimising that risk through a well received and enjoyable programme.”