Norwich Union is launching a risk management toolkit for fleet operators in a bid to reduce the number of motor accidents involving occupational drivers.
Norwich Union is launching a risk management toolkit for fleet operators in a bid to reduce the number of motor accidents involving occupational drivers.
Government statistics show that almost a third of all road traffic accidents involve someone who is at work at the time - more than 20 people die a week and more than 250 are seriously injured in motor accidents while simply doing their job of work.
Norwich Union's own statistics* show:
- 85% of fleets are not covering four of the most basic risk management procedures, ie licence checking, new driver vetting, issuing a driver’s handbook and investigating accidents
- fewer than 8% of fleets are doing any kind of driver training.
While supporting the latest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Department for Transport’s guide promoting management of work-related accidents, Norwich Union – the UK’s largest insurer of fleets – has gone one step further in producing its own work-related road safety CD-Rom, which is being sent out to fleet operators this week.
This interactive device – called Roadsense: Save Lives, Save Money – includes information and advice on simple risk management procedures such as new driver vetting, issuing a driver handbook and investigating accidents, as well as printable templates and guides which operators can download and use with their own drivers.
Kevin Edwards, head of motor underwriting at Norwich Union, said: "Research shows that the main concern of fleet operators is fleet safety and while they are becoming increasingly aware of the issue, many do not know where to turn for professional advice.
"That’s why Norwich Union has developed this CD-Rom to give to its fleet customers access to practical risk management advice on occupational driving. We are also working with other agencies to raise the profile of the issue."
Norwich Union, which insures 20% of the fleet market, would like to see greater emphasis given to enforcing occupational road safety, including an "Approved Code of Practice" on the issue.
Mr Edwards added: "Work-related road accidents are the biggest cause of industrial fatalities in this country - in fact, more people are killed in work-related road accidents than in all other categories of occupational deaths put together.
"We believe that current health and safety law is too wide-ranging to cover road safety which is why we want a specific code of practice to cover this aspect.
"We’d also like to see the HSE accelerate its investigation and enforcement activities with the police authorities.
"This will take time and resources, but it is not only worthwhile but much-needed – no other work activity in the UK would allow 20 people a week be killed without a major outcry."
Norwich Union fleet clients who have not yet received their CD-Rom can call 0800 0150152 to request a copy.
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Media contacts:
Jenny Chapman at Norwich Union on 01603 682 264 or 07775 822 642
Notes to editors:
* Research conducted with 12,000 Norwich Union fleet policyholders from July 2002 to December 2003
- Norwich Union is the UK's largest insurer with a market share of around 14%. With a focus on insurance for individuals and small businesses, Norwich Union insures:
- one in five households
- one in seven motor vehicles
- more than 800,000 businesses
- Norwich Union’s news releases and a selection of images are available on the Aviva internet press centre at www.aviva.com/media
- An ISDN facility is available for studio quality broadcast - call the press office on 01603 683820.