Pontypool-based United Utilities Operational Services (UUOS), which is a division of United Utilities the UK’s largest listed water company, has become the latest ‘business champion’ recruited to the Government-backed ‘Driving for Better Business’ campaign.

UUOS and its main customers - United Utilities Operations Limited (Northern Gas Networks) and Welsh Water - operate a fleet of 1,700 vehicles including 1,250 vans, almost 400 company cars and 60 light goods vehicles. Additionally, approximately 1,800 employees drive their own cars on work-related journeys.

Last year, it saw its incident frequency cut by about a third from 55% to 34% compared with 2008 levels. As a result, UUOS has seen average vehicle repair costs tumble from £1,136 in 2008 to £780 in 2009 due to both a decline in the number and severity of incidents.

Head of transport Gary Banister, who has championed the road safety strategy, said: “Not only has UUOS recorded a significant reduction in the number of accidents and claim costs, but all other associated costs such as third party claims, uninsured loss recovery and sickness pay for staff have reduced as a result of improved driving behaviour and management.”

A central feature of the health and safety roadmap is that individual drivers are encouraged to personally risk assess themselves and the journeys they make and not just rely on their employer and line managers to undertake risk assessments.