Government statics illustrate that motor traffic is continuing to increase with an estimated 311 billion vehicle miles in 2014, up 2.4% on the previous years. Deaths and serious injuries have also increased on UK roads by 4% and 5% respectively over the same period. The risk to drivers is clearly evident with 797 car occupant fatalities in 2014, 45% of total road deaths. Even more worrying is the 25% increase in pedestrian fatalities (446) during the same period. Source www.gov.uk
Andrew Pace, Head of Lookers Fleet Services commented – having carried out a review of the UK Fleet Risk Management market the selection of a partner to deliver our driver risk services ‘Lookers DriveSafe’, RoSPA were the obvious choice. For almost 100 years, RoSPA has been quietly working behind the scenes to change both legislation and attitudes surrounding accidents. From the compulsory wearing of seatbelts and the campaign to stop drink driving, to the more recent ban on handheld mobile phones behind the wheel, RoSPA has been instrumental in shaping our society for the better, preventing millions of deaths and serious injuries along the way.
Pace, went on to say – more and more fleets are realising there is a growing need to do more than just the usual driver licence checks. Yes, licence checks form a fundamental part of the bigger picture – but in isolation they do little to identify a drivers risk awareness or behaviour behind the wheel. Road Accidents while at work are the biggest cause of occupation fatality in the UK.
‘Lookers DriveSafe in association with RoSPA, work with the client to identify risks within their fleet and then creates a solution, from computer based training to on road coaching, in order to minimise those risks. Ultimately, our joint goal is to reduce road accidents and injuries and thus save lives.
Rick Wood Head of Training at RoSPA Fleet Safety (RFS) commented – the team at RFS and very excited by this opportunity as we think the offering from Lookers / RoSPA will make a positive contribution to improving the driving standards of the Companies and Drivers we work with in the coming months and years.
For further information about Lookers DriveSafe visit www.lookersfleetservices.co.uk, email FleetServices@lookers.co.uk, or call 03300 122 410.
