HR Directors play a key role in fleet safety

Latest research from Bosch reveals that safety issues are at the top of many fleet agendas, with sixty per cent citing duty of care as an important fleet management policy issue. However, it is not just fleet managers who have influence over fleet decisions.

The research, conducted by apd Fleet Research, revealed that HR Directors have a key role to play in decision making and that when it comes to actually managing fleets, safety concerns do not always translate into initiatives to improve road safety. Thirty per cent of respondents reported that HR Directors had a significant involvement in fleet management and it seems that although many believe that it is important to ensure safe working conditions for employees by providing a safe vehicle, some are yet to take action.

Despite the threat of the Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act, which comes into effect in April 2008, only two thirds of fleets have recently introduced initiatives to prevent accidents.

Caroline Scurr, RoadSafe ‘Driving for Better Business’ programme said: “This latest research from Bosch is both encouraging and alarming in equal measure. Whilst we are delighted to see that many fleets are taking their driving for work responsibilities seriously, there are still some managers sticking their heads in the sand. We encourage HR Directors and other decision makers who are yet to acknowledge the risks to take action now. The RoadSafe Driving for Better Business programme promotes fleet best practice case studies, which demonstrate how safety savvy businesses have significantly reduced their risks and their costs.”

The research was launched at a recent Bosch fleet event to promote ESP.