Road safety charity urges employers to look at education and training of at-work drivers

Brake, the road safety charity, has published a guidance report for employers with staff who drive for work on driver training and education. The behaviour of drivers on the road is one of the key ways many businesses are seen by the public. Educating drivers in safe driving behaviour can help improve a company's reputation, reduce costs, and benefit the business - as well as helping to prevent potentially catastrophic crashes.

Encouraging and enabling safer driver behaviour is essential to road safety and safe business operations, to prevent work-related road deaths and injuries, and to help protect other road users.

The report, entitled 'Effective driver training and education in companies', gives practical advice and guidance alongside best practice company case studies. The report includes guidance on:

• When training and education can and should be delivered, including after risk assessments;
• How to develop the attitudes and behaviours to have a positive impact on road safety;
• Practical guidance on using training and a range of educational interventions;
• Advice on key road safety education topics: targeting young drivers, drink and drugs, speed, and distracted driving.

The report also contains case studies from a number of companies that have implemented driver training and education programmes to tackle road risk and reduce incidents.

Caroline Perry, Brake's NZ director, said: "The training and education of drivers is an essential part of companies' duty of care. With the proposed Health & Safety reforms, companies need to ensure they are doing everything possible to keep their drivers and other road users safe when employees are on the road. By making sure that drivers have the necessary skills, and providing education to improve their attitudes and behaviours, companies can have a large impact on road safety - and their bottom line. Having a holistic approach to educating, raising awareness and training drivers has the greatest sustained impact."

The guidance has been produced thanks to generous sponsorship from Drivers Domain UK.com.

This report is available free of charge to all members of Brake Professional (see www.brakepro.org). As a special offer it is also available for free to the first 10 organisations that request a copy by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Following the free offer, copies will be available for $10.

Fleet operators are also encouraged to get involved in Brake's events for fleet safety professionals (many of which are free), including the forthcoming webinar on Using in-vehicle technology to improve fleet safety. Brake's full calendar of events is available online.

Companies can take advantage of Brake's resources by engaging with the Brake Pledge. The Pledge is a simple and flexible driver safety campaign. It is used by organisations of all sizes to win drivers' hearts, minds and commitment to safe driving. Brake offers free webinars on the Pledge, and can run bespoke train the trainer or driver workshops on company premises. Find out more.