The Fleet Safety Forum has published new guidance for fleet managers on how to maximise the safety of ‘grey fleet’ drivers.
Brake, which is behind the Fleet Safety Forum, says that the average employee-owned car used for business is around seven years old and therefore may not benefit from the latest safety technology. This compares unfavourably with company cars which leave service on average after four years.
The new guidance suggests providing alternatives to grey fleet use in the first instance. However, if drivers do have to use their own vehicles for work purposes, they and their vehicles should be subjected to the same rigorous safety checks and risk assessments as other company drivers.
Roz Cumming, professional engagement manager at Brake, says: “Employers have the same level of responsibility for the safety of grey fleet drivers as they do for those driving company vehicles. Managers must approach this proactively, minimising grey fleet use wherever possible.
“If grey fleet is used, managers need to ensure drivers using their own vehicles are risk assessed and receive the same training as other company drivers, as well as taking steps to ensure vehicles are appropriately serviced, checked and insured.
“This new e-guidance is a valuable resource for fleet managers: I’d urge anyone who doesn’t already subscribe to sign up to the Fleet Safety Forum to get access to it and many other resources like it.”
The guidance is available for free to Fleet Safety Forum subscribers, or can be purchased for £5 by non-subscribers. However, the first 50 non-subscribers to request the guidance will obtain a copy for free.
To order a copy email: admin@brake.org.uk or call +44 (0)1484 559909.
I think this should be applauded. Many companies still aren’t sure how to approach grey fleet safety issues so any any extra guidance is helpful. One of the key things to take from this article is that is doesn’t matter whether the employee is in a company car or their own car – the employer has exactly the same duty of care for both including making sure that the driver is adequately risk assessed and trained where necessary, and that the vehicle is safe, well maintained and appropriate for the journey.
Simon Turner, Fleet21, London
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This isn’t rocket science is it? My last employer gave a short test to every business driver and asked for a short form to be filled in regarding your own vehicle state and insurance. I upgraded my insurance to cover the correct level of business use at no extra cost and passed a copy of the cover to the employer on each annual renewal. It’s down to the individual to comply with a reasonable employer policy.
@roadsafetyGB. Why not publish a short downloadable fact sheet made by your experts?
William, Gt Baddow
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This can not be construed as New Guidance as it has been in the public domain for many years, with many road safety organisations informing their clients of their duty of care to the grey fleet. I also find it hard to believe that this is new guidance to Brake – after all Brake has been in existence for a fair few years.
Keith Doyle
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While it is obviously important for employers to ensure that employees who routinely use their own vehicles for business purposes are insured to do so, it is all to easy to be caught out, perhaps with catastrophic consequences, by not checking that insurance is also in place for anyone who (even very occasionally) drives for what might be defined as a business purpose. This could include anyone – an employee or his or her relative or friend – dropping off a parcel or taking the post, or driving someone who else to a business meeting, even only that one time and only because it seemed helpful at the time.
Idris Francis Petersfield
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