Companies urged to do more to protect at-work drivers

Brake's Fleet Safety Forum and Colas Ltd are working together to improve the safety of at-work drivers and other road users through the Pledge2DriveSafely campaign.

In 2010, at least 540 people were killed in crashes involving an at-work driver - the equivalent of 10 people every week. Brake’s Pledge2DriveSafely campaign aims to combat this by appealing to people who drive for work to do so with the utmost care and attention, protecting themselves and other road users.

The campaign revolves around Pledge2DriveSafely workshops, sponsored by Colas Ltd. Managers are invited to attend these sessions at various locations around the UK and throughout the year, which offer training and practical tools to enable them to pass on effective and engaging safe driving messages to their at-work drivers. Brake can also arrange in-house training sessions on request.

The workshops are designed for fleet and driver training managers, and are delivered by experienced and qualified trainers. Workshop attendees are shown how to run discussion based workshops on six core principals of safe driving, which ask people to pledge to drive:
• Slow – within speed limits
• Sober – free from alcohol and drugs
• Sharp – not tired, ill or with poor sight
• Silent – phone off and out of reach
• Secure – belted up in a safe vehicle
• Sustainable – only when you have to

Attendees are provided with access to interactive learning materials through Brake’s Fleet Safety Forum website www.fleetsafetyforum.org.

Caroline Perry, development director at Brake, said: “These workshops are a vital tool in tackling your company’s road risk through working with your drivers. The campaign has enormous potential to save lives and I would urge all fleet managers to attend.”

Workshops cost £75 +VAT and include a free subscription for one year to Brake’s Fleet Safety Forum (normally £155 +VAT), dedicated to helping fleets improve their road safety. For more information and to book online, visit www.fleetsafetyforum.org and click on Events, or contact Brake on 01484 559909 or admin@brake.org.uk.