Managing road risk for SMEs Produced by Brake, the road safety charity Supported by the Department for Transport Supporting

Why manage road risk? At-work crashes cost UK employers c. £2.7bn a year Is it your biggest risk and biggest hidden cost? Could your company cope with fall-out of a major crash? Save lives, cut costs, improve reputation and open up opportunities

Getting started, step 1 Assess and make business case: Record crashes, bumps, scrapes Analyse cost savings: reduced downtime, admin, insurance Consider reputation and staff morale Explore new business opportunities Use Brake’s guide: the business case for fleet safety

Getting started, step 2 Write a policy: Consider best practice examples Consult managers, employees, trade unions, partners Include statement of company’s commitment to road safety Cover how you will safely manage drivers, vehicles, journeys

Getting started, step 3 Monitor performance: Set targets – e.g. rate of incidents Regular risk assessments Benchmark Aim for continuous improvement Use fleetsafetybenchmarking.net

Managing drivers: awareness 95% of crashes due to driver error Embed safety messages into internal communications, briefings, meetings – make clear it’s the priority Use Brake’s Pledge: brakepro.org/makethepledge Take part in a free Brake Pledge webinar brakepro.org/pledge

Managing drivers: recruitment Detailed driver specification/position description Comprehensive application form Licence checking At least three years’ driving experience Two in-depth interviews with personnel and operations At least two references Assess pre-drive and in-vehicle skills, certificates, personality, knowledge, understanding of regulations Eyesight and medical assessments on employment, repeated annually

Managing drivers: training Priority Driving profile Suggested driver training options High-risk Drivers who: drive more than 20,000 miles per annum drive at night/early morning acquire penalty points are newly-qualified (especially 17-24 year olds) identified as high risk from psychometric risk assessment profiling In-class driver awareness workshop followed by 1:1 driver coaching Medium-risk Drive less than 20,000 business miles per annum In-class driver awareness workshop (small groups of up to 15), supplemented with eLearning Low-risk Drivers who make infrequent work-related journeys or very low mileage Seminar style driver safety awareness briefing (large groups) and eLearning

Managing drivers: monitoring Thorough reporting & analysis of crashes, bumps, scrapes Use data to identify problems before they’re serious Assess driver skills regularly, provide targeted training Telematics can: record speeding, harsh acceleration and braking; aid safety management by providing data and evidence; potentially reduce incidents by 50% and save fuel Use brakepro.org/fleetservicedirectory to find providers

Managing drivers case study: Peter’s Foods Fleet of seven trucks, 130 vans and 50 cars Uses fleet risk management software, licence checks and performance monitoring to identify risky drivers and sites Saw a 40% decline in collisions 2010-2012

Managing vehicles: facts Vehicle defects a factor in 2,000 crashes in 2013, including 42 fatal Of 155,897 HGVs, trailers and PSVs checked at roadside by the DVSA in 2012, 28% had serious mechanical defects 85% of faults identified by DVSA could be spotted in a basic walk-round check Early repairs can save money in long-run

Managing vehicles: common defects HGVs: Brake systems and components Condition of tyres Indicators and hazard warning Trailers: Brake systems and components Suspension Tyres PSVs: Seatbelts Driver and passenger doors Brake systems and components

Managing vehicles: policies Ensure regular servicing and MOT Use expert, qualified mechanics (e.g. IRTEC) Ensure daily walk-round checks by drivers Develop driver understanding of problem-spotting Understand best practice through fors-online.org.uk and brakepro.org

Managing vehicles: walk-round checks ✔ tyres have tread well above legal minimum, right pressure, no bulges, cracks or worn patches ✔ mirrors and other blind spot aids ✔ wheel fixings free from dirt, with no damage ✔ wheel nut indicators are lined up ✔ steering and brakes working normally ✔ doors and loads are secure ✔ oil, water and other fluids such as power steering, windscreen washer, brake fluid are well above minimum ✔ lights, brake lights and indicators working ✔ wipers working

Managing vehicles case study: TMJ interiors Bespoke joinery firm with 130 staff, three vehicles and 10 ‘grey fleet’ (staff-owned) vehicles Told by a contractor they needed bronze FORS accreditation or would be turned away from site Improved policies in line with best practice, increased driver awareness and buy-in They achieved bronze, then silver, then gold: rare for an SME, giving them a USP

Managing journeys: facts In 2013, 507 people on foot and bike were killed on UK roads Reducing traffic and speed where people walk and cycle is key to reducing casualties and making communities more pleasant and less polluted Slowing down to 20mph means your stopping distance is half that at 30mph, so going 20 in towns & villages helps protect people Reducing unnecessary mileage saves fuel and time

Managing journeys: points to consider If driving can be avoided using video conferencing or public transport If multiple drops/visits can be grouped Any flexibility in delivery/appointment times Ways to avoid delays, eg at deliveries Times to avoid, e.g. high-risk (night time, school run) and busy times Impact of routing on safety & local communities Order Brake’s ‘park the stress’ poster: brake.org.uk/shop

Managing journeys: routing Minimise mileage if possible, but also… Use motorways and trunk roads Avoid towns and villages, schools and homes if possible (if not stipulate: ‘go 20’) Avoid specific high-risk roads/junctions Avoid congested routes Use different routes at different times if appropriate Use Brake’s report on protecting vulnerable road users

Managing journeys case study: Qdell couriers 10-12 courier vehicles and 150 driver-owned vehicles Invested in technology, alternative fuels, more efficient vehicles, and employee training Smarter driving means smoother journeys: it saved fuel and carbon emissions, increased customer satisfaction and reduced complaints

More info & advice Use Brake’s Pledge at brakepro.org/makethepledge Free resources for SMEs at brakepro.org/smetoolkit, including Essential guide to fleet safety for SMEs Join Brake Professional for access to more resources brakepro.org/join-brake Get involved with the UK’s largest road safety event at roadsafetyweek.org.uk