Familiarisation course reduces risk for foreign drivers

The influx of over half a million people into Britain from the newer member states of the EC is posing the threat of an increase in the number of road accidents.

A recent report from the Association of British Insurers, whose members provide 94% of insurance cover in the UK, shows that drivers from continental Europe were involved in 18,000 collisions in the UK last year.

As well as the large and growing number of cars and vans belonging to foreign nationals resident in the UK, there are also estimated to be in excess of 10,000 heavy goods vehicles from mainland Europe driving on British roads every working day. The ABI report states that the incidence of accidents in the UK involving these vehicles is three times that of UK HGVs.

“In addition to drivers visiting the UK, British companies are also employing foreign nationals in increasing numbers and many are driving either as their job or as part of it,” says Suzanne Linturn, sales and marketing director of Peak Performance, who are the UK’s foremost experts in managing the risks associated with driving at work.

“Differences in driving practices, signs and speed limits between the UK and the countries from which these people come can give rise to problems,” she adds. “This is exacerbated by the fact that the UK is alone in the EC in driving on the left. The result is higher accident rates amongst this group of drivers, which can have many consequences, from disruption to business activity at one level to death or serious injury at a more extreme level.”

To assist UK companies in managing the risk better, Peak Performance has developed a special course. Their ‘Driving in the UK Familiarisation Programme’ provides a comprehensive introduction to driving on the UK’s roads. The course aims to improve driving standards leading to a reduction in the frequency, severity and overall cost to a business of road traffic accidents.

Features of the course include:

A structured introduction to driving in the UK traffic environment
Detailed vehicle familiarisation and safety checks covering the type of vehicle to be driven, from cars to public service and heavy goods vehicles
Licence review and eyesight check to the required DoT standard
A practical assessment of each driver’s current driving practices and agreement of key development objectives for that individual.

The one day course can be for as few as two people and can be delivered anywhere in the UK by Peak Performance’s highly-trained instructors. All course materials are provided, including a copy of the UK Highway Code and a guide ‘Driving in the UK’. Each course concludes with a full de-brief and feedback is provided to the employer with any recommendations for further action.

“Our driving in the UK Familiarisation Programme is just one of a number of packages we can provide to businesses to improve standards of driving amongst their employees,” says Ms Linturn. “We have a large number of major companies as clients and they report that the benefits to them are wide ranging. Substantial cost savings can be made on insurance premiums and less management time is wasted on dealing with the consequences of traffic accidents.”

Full details of the courses available can be obtained by e-mailing info@peakperformance.net or calling 01246 244200.