Fleet vehicle abuse puts safety at risk and hits cost control
Thousands of company car and van drivers are abusing their vehicles putting their employers in breach of health and safety legislation and inflating fleet operating costs, according to photographic evidence recorded by Fleet Support Group.
The company’s nationwide network of approved Masterserve garages are equipped with Masterview - a unique remote video inspection system that enables fleet managers to view the condition of vehicles and components anywhere around the country, either in real time or recorded for later transmission.
When vehicles are booked into Masterserve garages for service and repair, a video link allows Fleet Support Group maintenance experts at its Chippenham headquarters to view live pictures via a broadband link. When vehicle abuse is detected, fleet managers in charge of the damaged vehicles are informed and shown the evidence.
Geoffrey Bray, chairman of Fleet Support Group, which backs the ‘Driving for Better Business’ initiative. said: “Masterview has highlighted numerous horror stories to fleet managers as to exactly what damage drivers are causing to company vehicles.
“On viewing the live pictures fleet managers are often horrified at the condition of some of their vehicles. They then use Masterview to police the situation. The technology particularly comes into its own when vehicles are located away from where fleet managers can undertake their own vehicle inspections.”
As a result of the abuse uncovered, Fleet Support Group has launched a new campaign called ‘Are Your Vehicles Fit For Purpose’, which supports the company’s long-established RiskMaster work-related road safety programme.
“Part of the RiskMaster tool is to have random vehicle inspections to see what drivers are doing to their vehicles,” said Mr Bray.
Examples of driver vehicle abuse, which not only impacts on safety but also on a company’s image, costs money to repair and hits car and van residual values, include:
- Interior and bodywork damage
- Illegal tyres
- Badly worn brake discs and pads
- A badly worn clutch causing overheating
- A vehicle used as a rubbish dump
Mr Bray said: “As employers, companies have a duty to manage work-related road safety and to demonstrate that they have taken all reasonable practicable steps to ensure the safety of their drivers and other users. In addition, companies are responsible for ensuring that their vehicles are fit for purpose. The range of vehicle damage that we uncover invariably results in companies taking swift action to stem the abuse.
“Our Masterview system enables fleet managers to keep an eye on their vehicles to make sure they are roadworthy, are being driven well and are properly cared for and thereby conforming with duty of care regulations. By actively encouraging drivers to care for their vehicles, fleet operating costs are reduced and vehicle values maintained.”
For further details about Fleet Safety Group’s products and services visit the website (http://www.fsguk.com)
Related news, events and information
Shocking new evidence highlights fleet vehicle abuse that puts safety at risk
21 October 2008 – Thousands of company car and van drivers are abusing their vehicles putting their employers in breach of health...
Companies sleepwalk into cash crisis as they fail to appreciate cost of road crashes
12 December 2008 – Road traffic crashes in Britain costbillions of poundslast year with much of the cost borne by businesses in...
FSG launches What’s in it for me safety campaign
22 August 2008 – Safety-focused Fleet Support Group has launched a major new occupational road risk management campaign...
Survey identifies FSGs RiskMaster as top safety solution
21 October 2008 – Fleet Support Group's RiskMaster at-work driving safely programme is the most complete occupational road risk...
Driving for Better Business partner takes ‘Permit to Drive’ message to Labour Party conference
22 August 2008 – Employees at the Labour Party now have to qualify for a 'Permit to Drive' from managers before they are allowed...
Motorway crash broken neck victim uses experience to transform employer into road safety fleet champion
23 February 2010 – Suffering a broken neck in a road crash has given fleet manager Leigh Stiff a unique insight into why all...
Safety failings cost businesses hundreds of thousands of pounds
6 June 2010 – Cutting costs is often a priority for fleet decision makers, but new analysis by Fleet Support Group shows how...
Northgate offers free winter check to fleet customers own vehicles
28 November 2008 – More people are killed and injured on Britain's roads in the winter, which makes it imperative that vehicles...
Make reducing fleet maintenance costs your New Year resolution
8 January 2018 – Stroy from Driving for Better Business Many employers still don't fully realise how much their bottom line can...