Norwich Union has produced a list of 10 Essential Elements designed to provide companies with a framework to properly manage occupational road risk.
The Transport Research Laboratory published the Work Related Road Accidents report in 2003, which suggests that, even when taking higher mileages into account, 'at work' drivers are up to 50% more likely to be involved in a motor accident than a private motorist.
The 10 points that feature in the Essential Elements cover each of the recognised areas of control: Management Policy, Driver Safety, Vehicle Safety and Journey Planning.
Bill Pownall, motor risk manager at Norwich Union, who launched the initiative, comments: "Failure to put into practice the necessary policies and procedures needed can have serious consequences for both the company and the driver. This document is intended as a guide to ease the risk and protect against loss or injury."
Pownall adds: "From our 2007 claims data, we are aware of several instances where failing to manage occupational road risk has resulted in serious financial and indeed human cost. For example, a passenger was left paraplegic following a collision when he was travelling in the back of a van equipped without any rear seating"
"In another case, a passenger in an otherwise ‘non fault' collision was killed after being hit on the head by an unsecured tool box left in the rear of the policyholder's van. This was entirely avoidable and clearly actions ought to have been taken to prevent such an incident."
Download 10 Essential Elements.
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For further information, please contact:
Elinor Graveson at Staniforth on 0161 919 8025/07973 360 141 or Sally Leeman at Norwich Union on 01603 684225/07800 699670.
Notes to editors
- Norwich Union is the UK's largest general insurer with a market share of around 15%, with a focus on insurance for individuals and small businesses.
- It is a leading provider of life, pensions and investment products and one of the largest Financial Adviser (FA) providers. FAs provide over 70% of the company's long-term savings business in the UK.
- Norwich Union's news releases and a selection of images are available from Aviva's internet press centre at www.aviva.com/media.