How Driver Refresher Training Protects Your Fleet
Driving is essential for many businesses, especially those in the transportation and logistics industry. However, driving comes with its fair share of risks, and accidents can be costly in terms of finances and human lives.
For this reason, ensuring that your drivers are adequately trained and equipped with the necessary skills to operate vehicles safely is essential. Today we will explore how driver refresher training can protect your fleet from costly accidents.
Driver Training: Helping Commercial Fleets Avoid Common Issues
Two companies (Turners and The Haulage Group) have been fined a total of £2.2 million after an employee was killed by a reversing heavy goods vehicle (HGV). The incident occurred at a waste recycling plant in the UK in 2019, and the employee was struck by the HGV and died at the scene.
The companies involved were found to have failed to ensure the safety of their employees. The long-term investigation over the years revealed no clear procedures for managing vehicle movements on the site, amongst many other failings in staff and equipment.
After both companies pleaded guilty to these management failures, Turners was fined £1.9m and ordered to pay costs of £7,300, whilst The Haulage Group was fined £300,000 and pay similar costs of £7,300. *
The case highlights the importance of ensuring the safety of employees and implementing proper procedures, driver training and equipment to prevent accidents in the workplace and secure the future of your staff and business.
The Importance of Driver Refresher Training
Driver refresher training is a crucial investment for businesses that rely on driving. It helps to ensure that drivers are up to date with the latest driving techniques, regulations, and safety practices. One of the main benefits of driver refresher training is that it can help reduce accidents. Drivers who have received refresher training are more aware of potential hazards on the road and are better equipped to respond to them. This can help prevent accidents and reduce the number of insurance claims and repair costs businesses may face.
In addition to reducing accidents, driver refresher training can improve driver skills. It can help drivers identify areas where they need to improve and provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge. This can help to boost driver confidence and make them more effective at their job. Businesses can also benefit from increased productivity and efficiency by improving driver skills.
Another important aspect of driver refresher training is that it helps businesses comply with legal requirements. In many countries, there are regulations in place that require companies to provide their drivers with regular training. By providing driver refresher training, businesses can ensure that they comply with these regulations and avoid any potential legal issues.
Additional Risks to Avoid
In addition to the earlier example, the risks associated with not providing driver refresher training are significant and can severely impact businesses.
One of the most significant risks is the financial implications of accidents. Accidents result in insurance claims, repairs, and legal fees, which are costly for businesses. These costs quickly add up, and in some cases, they can be significant enough to put a company in financial jeopardy, such as what happened to Turner and The Haulage Group.
In addition to the financial implications, accidents can severely impact a business’s reputation. Customers may hesitate to do business with a company with a history of accidents, which can result in losing customers. A damaged reputation can take years to repair and can have a long-lasting impact on a business’s bottom line.
Furthermore, accidents can also result in injuries or fatalities, which can devastate the individuals involved, their families, and the wider community. Not providing driver refresher training can increase the risk of accidents, and businesses are responsible for ensuring that their drivers are adequately trained to operate vehicles safely.
Ways to Incorporate Driver Refresher Training
Implementing driver refresher training is essential for businesses that rely on driving. Several training methods are available, including online courses, classroom-based and practical training. Online courses are a convenient option for businesses as they can be accessed from anywhere at any time. Classroom-based training is another option that allows for more interaction between trainers and drivers. Practical training is also essential, enabling drivers to apply what they have learned in real-world situations.
Encouraging drivers to participate in training is crucial. One way to do this is by highlighting the benefits of the training, such as improved skills, increased confidence, and the potential for career advancement. Employers can also offer incentives for completing training, such as bonuses or promotions.
Measuring the effectiveness of training is also essential. One way to do this is by conducting assessments before and after the training to determine the extent of the drivers’ knowledge and skills. Employers can also track accident rates and other relevant metrics to determine if the training has positively impacted them.
Fleet and Fuel Management for Effective Management
At Fueltek, we understand the importance of driver refresher training in improving fleet efficiency and productivity. Our experience with a wide range of vehicle fleets has shown that investing in driver refresher training can significantly reduce the waste of time and fuel, leading to increased profitability for businesses.
As industry experts in fuel management, we offer a range of solutions to help fleets improve their efficiency, including bunded fuel tanks, accurate fuel monitoring systems, and user-friendly fuel management so you don’t have to worry about your fuel, and you can focus on investing in driver refresher training. Contact us today to see how our complete fuel management package will assist your fleet.
* This information was sourced from Commercial Fleet
