The latest road safety news in brief:
- RoSPA’s Driver Profiler tool upgraded with new features (16 June)
- Almost a third of UK drivers ‘more courteous’ to female motorists (15 June)
- Participants needed for Highways England journey experience survey (14 June)
- Road Safety Foundation appoints new research director (12 June)
Click here to read the road safety news in brief from the week commencing 5 June.
16 Jun: 09.15
RoSPA’s Driver Profiler tool upgraded with new features
RoSPA’s ‘highly-popular’ Driver Profiler fleet risk assessment tool is being relaunched on Monday (19 June) with a host of new features and updates.
The new version will be unveiled to the public for the first time on RoSPA’s stand (M300) at the Safety & Health Expo at London’s ExCeL Arena on Tuesday, but is available to clients from today.
Used by a range of RoSPA’s fleet clients, the online tool is designed to measure the attitude and behaviour of drivers via a questionnaire that investigates the individual’s history and the type of driving they do.
With questions designed by RoSPA’s in-house road safety experts and meeting HSE guidelines on risk assessing all drivers, Driver Profiler is ‘ideal for those who manage fleet risk as part of their role’. It risk assesses the driver’s approach to certain situations such as distractions, speed, dealing with pressure and journey planning, before detailing ways drivers can improve.
The new version has been made more ‘user-friendly’, and includes new features such as:
- Keeping all of your drivers’ assessments on the same account;
- A reporting function which enables users to view, filter and export data;
- Ability to add your own questions to the tool and set your own deadlines for completion;
- Ability to add and update your company logo.
Eleanor Pugh-Stanley, RoSPA’s fleet safety development manager, said: “Around one-third of all deaths on the road each year involve those who are driving for work. This is a shocking statistic, and one that all fleet managers must to help drive down.
“Driver Profiler is a cost-effective and time-efficient tool compared to in-vehicle assessments, which help managers to prioritise training for drivers, of any vehicle type, who need it most. It’s a great first step to help you manage your occupational road risk.”
THURSDAY 15 JUNE
15 Jun: 14.00
Almost a third of UK drivers ‘more courteous’ to female motorists
A new survey has found that 32% of UK drivers are more courteous to a female when thinking about whether to give way or allowing a fellow driver to merge.
The survey, produced by LeaseCar, asked motorists across the UK about their driving etiquette, in order to establish how courteous Britain is behind the wheel.
The results also show that, in comparison, only 9.7% of those asked said they would be more considerate to male drivers. This figure drops to just 3.4% when only answered by female drivers.
In terms of location, Edinburgh was found to be the most courteous, followed by Bristol and Belfast.
Top 10 courteous driving cities in the UK:
- Edinburgh
- Bristol
- Belfast
- Brighton
- Cardiff
- Glasgow
- London
- Leeds
- Manchester
- Norwich & Southampton (tie)
According to the survey, the most important part of driving etiquette is keeping a safe distance between vehicles to prevent tailgating (38%). This is followed by saying thank you after being given way by another driver (23%) and indicating in plenty of time (20%).
WEDNESDAY 14 JUNE
14 Jun: 10.15
Participants needed for Highways England journey experience survey
On behalf of Highways England, the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) is looking for participants to complete a short online survey looking into road users’ experience of motorways and major roads in England.
The survey will take around 15 minutes to complete and all entries will be entered into a prize draw to win £300 Amazon vouchers.
In order to complete the survey we need participants to have a full UK registered driving licence and experience of driving on motorways and major roads in England.
Click here to take the survey, and here to read the terms and conditions.
MONDAY 12 JUNE
12 Jun: 12.45
Road Safety Foundation appoints new research director
The Road Safety Foundation (RSF) has appointed experienced road safety practitioner Dr Suzy Charman as its new research director.
Announced today (12 June), it will be Dr Charman’s role to lead the RSF’s annual EuroRAP risk mapping and performance tracking results, as well as a ‘ground-breaking’ project to improve safety on England’s 50 highest risk ‘A’ roads.
The RSF says Dr Charman brings experience in managing advanced road safety projects and has special knowledge of international road safety, infrastructure safety and road safety management.
Before joining the RSF, she was head of international road safety at TRL – while other previous roles include human factors consultant at QinetiQ and international programme manager at the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP).
Dr Charman said: “I’m thrilled to be working with the Road Safety Foundation.
"The government is demonstrating important innovation in funding systematic reduction of road deaths and trauma through its new ‘Safer Roads Fund’ – work based on the Foundation’s analysis tackle of the country’s 50 most dangerous roads.
"The Foundation is forging collaborative partnerships internationally and nationally with Highways England, DfT and many local authorities. We have an opportunity to help save thousands of lives over the coming decades.”
Lord Whitty, chairman of the Road Safety Foundation said: “This is an exciting appointment as we develop new systems and partnerships to make road travel as safe as rail and air for the next generation. Suzy Charman’s experience in managing national and international road safety partnerships will make a vital contribution.”
Comment on this story