Alphabet's Research Reveals 33% of Fleet Managers Lack Knowledge on Corporate Duty of Care, Posing Legal and Operational Risks.
A recent survey conducted by Alphabet (GB) has unveiled significant gaps in the knowledge of duty of care obligations among fleet managers, with approximately one-third (33%) having little to no understanding of corporate duty of care for employees driving company-owned or leased vehicles.
Despite the legal obligation for businesses to actively manage health and safety in the workplace, ensuring policies and procedures are in place to mitigate work-related risks, the survey indicated that less than half (45%) of fleet managers considered themselves very knowledgeable on the topic. While the majority (81%) conducted regular driver risk policy reviews, a notable proportion either lacked a driver risk policy altogether (4%) or had not reviewed their policy in the past 12 months (15%).
Vehicles used for business travel are considered places of work, requiring proper maintenance, taxation, insurance, a current MOT, and fitness for purpose. The oversight of duties such as regular driving license checks, risk assessments, and training can have severe legal, financial, and reputational consequences.
Encouragingly, 88% of fleet managers reported having a driver training programme in place. However, 12% of businesses with fleets larger than six vehicles admitted to not conducting any form of driver training, with an additional 10% offering training less than annually. This potentially leaves new employees without vital knowledge on safety protocols.
While most fleet managers claimed to keep records of accidents during business travel, the survey revealed concerning gaps in accident recording. Eight percent of respondents admitted to not recording details of accidents involving company vehicles, and this figure doubled to 16% for private vehicles.
Amid the post-pandemic rise in employees using private vehicles for business travel (43%), a significant knowledge gap emerged, with 51% of UK fleet managers expressing uncertainty about their duty of care responsibilities for the 'grey fleet' population.
Gavin Davies, General Manager, Customer Account Management at Alphabet, emphasised the critical importance of understanding and mitigating risks associated with occupational driving. He highlighted that many employers remain unaware of their responsibility for employees' safety during work-related travel, even when using their own vehicles.
With the increase in private vehicle use observed since the pandemic, Davies urged fleet managers to prioritise risk management, either seeking external advice or partnering with experienced entities to ensure a robust and proactive driver risk strategy. Such an approach not only enhances risk management but also reduces fleet running costs and downtime.
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