| Your Responsibilities |

Businesses can no longer take the risk of ignoring their responsibilities with regard to managing the risks associated with 'driving at work'.  Employers incorrectly assume that provided they comply with road traffic law requirements (e.g. company vehicles have a valid MOT and their drivers hold a valid driving licence) this is enough to ensure the safety of their employees, and others, when they are on the road. (This is simply not true!)

| Does This Include The Use Of Private Vehicles? |

Ownership of the vehicle is irrelevant.  Companies have the same liability for individuals who drive their own vehicles on company business as those who drive company owned fleet vehicles.  Don't be fooled into thinking that by abandoning the traditional company car in favour of the cash for car alternatives that you can get rid of your duty of care - you can't!

In some respects the risks associated with the use of privately owned vehicles are greater.  This is due to the fact that you actually have less control over things like maintenance, tyres and suitability of the vehicle for the task.

| So What Do We Need To Do? |

In real terms you should have a road safety management system for driving at work just as you would for any other work related activity.  This should include:

• Provision of Road Safety Policies supported by Top Management
• Provision of Road Safety Procedures including Risk Assessments for Drivers and Tasks
• Provision of appropriate Driver Training, Information and, if necessary, Supervision
• Regular checks on the Vehicle Fleet to ensure they are fit for purpose
• Regular checks on Driving Licences in order to verify their status
• Maintain and review both Vehicle & Driver data, looking for common trends and risks
• Regular compliance audits to validate the Road Safety Management System