BSM & Thames Valley Police Working To Improve Fleet Drivers
BSM, the UK’s leading driving school, & Thames Valley Police have joined forces in a new initiative to highlight the necessity for good driving skills to companies and their drivers in regard to the new Corporate Manslaughter Act. This latest version now incorporates The Health & Safety Offences Act 2008 and could have a significant impact on company owners and fleet managers in the result of an accident or death caused by one of their drivers.
There are an estimated 3 million company car drivers currently on UK roads with the accident rate for fleet drivers a massive 40% higher than that for private drivers and it is because of these statistics that BSM have devised a new training plan called the CML (Corporate Manslaughter Legislation)Course, which could help company owners and drivers reduce the risk of legal action by teaching improved driving techniques and ensuring that drivers are fully aware of the consequences of their actions on the road.
Following a significant number of enquiries from managers concerned about how the legislation affects them, Thames Valley Police is recommending the BSM course, which also contains advice on eco-driving to help drivers reduce fuel costs and CO2 emissions.
Abu Shafi, Joint Managing Director of BSM, said: “BSM’s CML Course partnership with Thames Valley Police is part of our on-going commitment to better, safer driving. Around one in three company car drivers are involved in a crash every year. Fleet and company car managers must therefore ensure that their drivers are fully aware of the legal consequences of their driving and equipped with the knowledge and skills to avoid accidents. We’re confident that our specially designed CML Course will help companies to understand the full implications of the legislation.”
As part of the Corporate Manslaughter Act, businesses are directly liable for deaths caused on the road by company or fleet drivers driving any company or personal vehicle for company-related business. Individuals can also be liable for prosecution for Health & Safety offences. A company car driver was recently convicted of causing death by dangerous driving whilst using a mobile phone without a hands-free kit. As well as three-year prison sentence, the driver was banned from driving for 4 years. Specific instructions had been issued to all relevant employees with regard to use of mobile phones, but in this case, the driver had chosen not to adhere to the company rules. Because the driver’s employers were able to prove that they had complied with current legislation they were not implicated in any prosecution action.
BSM has developed some tips to help company and fleet drivers to be safer on the road such as: Plan your route to avoid getting lost and the consequent stress! Use technology safely; Try and get a good night’s sleep. Fatigue is thought to account for more fatalities than excess alcohol; Most crashes occur between 2am to 6am and 2pm to 4pm; Recognise the onset also contains advice on eco-driving to help drivers reduce fuel costs and CO2 emissions. of fatigue – loss of concentration; yawning; heavy eyelids etc; Take a 15 minute break every 2 hours of driving. Stop in a safe place. If you take a nap, set your phone alarm for a maximum of 20 minutes sleep. Any longer than that and you may feel worse; During the break, ensure you drink plenty of fluids but don’t drink too much strong coffee or energy/caffeine drinks
The CML training is available to businesses of all sizes and will be delivered in convenient locations throughout the Thames Valley area. On Tuesday 16 June at 2 p.m., Thames Valley Police, in partnership with Milton Keynes and North Bucks Chamber of Commerce, will be hosting the launch of the Course and announcing the partnership.
Rita Spada, Chief Executive of the Chamber of Commerce commented “Our members represent over 50,000 employees and supporting their safety is integral to our role at the Chamber, we are delighted to be part of this partnership”.
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