Business drivers targeted with new campaign
The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) is bringing a new focus on business drivers as part of the COSTS project, aiming to reduce the death and injury levels on Sussex Roads.
Nearly 30% of all serious and fatal road collisions involve individuals driving for business purposes - whether running an errand for the boss or taking the long haul in an HGV. From drivers exceeding the designated speed limit for their vehicle (or the road) to the effects of fatigue after a long trip, business people are over-represented in Sussex's collision statistics.
To combat this, the SSRP has developed the Company Operator Safer Transport Scheme (COSTS), the latest phase of which will be launched on Thursday 12 February, targeting both company owners and their drivers.
Under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2208, company owners who have either not developed an occupational road risk plan or have not driven its implementation can be jailed for manslaughter if one of their employees is involved in a fatal collision. COSTS provides owners and fleet managers with a comprehensive pack of information regarding their responsibilities, as well as the opportunity to access the support that they need to develop and implement an occupational road risk policy.
COSTS is also focussing on those who drive for work, and specifically operators of both light and heavy goods vehicles. Many drivers seem unaware of the speed restrictions imposed by the law on their vans, and excess speed has been shown to be a contributory factor in a large number of collisions. Furthermore, the dangers of mobile phone use at the wheel and fatigue are also being highlighted to this target audience.
Frost's of Shoreham is a key commercial partner in the latest phase of the COSTS project and is leading the way in operational road risk management. Company Director William Frost comments:
"Keeping drivers safe on the roads is the responsibility of every company owner or fleet manager. Aside from the human toll of serious collisions, it costs a business every time one of their vehicles is so much as scraped.
"The costs naturally rise in the event of more serious incidents and in these tight economic times, I believe that proactively guiding our drivers on all aspects of road safety is a way to stop needless expenditure, and of course ensure safety for all of our employees."
Superintendent Steve Barry, Head of Roads Policing for Sussex Police, adds:
"Reducing the number of collisions experienced by business drivers is one of the priorities for Sussex Roads Police in the forthcoming year.
"The number of collisions on the road experienced by this group massively over-represents them in our statistics, and many of the incidents are entirely avoidable.
"The new Corporate Manslaughter Act clearly sets out the responsibilities of all company owners and fleet managers, as well as the penalties that they can experience if one of their employees is involved in a serious collision. Therefore, it is the perfect time for the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership to work with businesses of all sizes to help them comply with the law, stay safe on the roads and reduce their expenditure as well."
For more information about the COSTS project and what it means for business, visit www.sussexsaferroads.gov.uk/COSTS
Notes to editors:
1) The COSTS project has been funded by the Department for Transport and is being delivered locally by the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership
2) National statistics for business related collisions can be found on the DFT website - http://www.dft.gov.uk/drivingforwork/content/main.asp?pid=14
3) The COSTS project offers company owners a complete managers' pack, including handbook, driver information and posters to display in public areas. Business can also apply for specialist help to devise their own occupational road risk strategy, or to have it examined by the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership
4) The Police will be carrying out a day of roadside education at locations on the A27, A23 and A259 on Thursday 12 February
5) The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership consists of East and West Sussex County Councils, Brighton and Hove City Council, Sussex Police, East and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Services, HM Courts Service and the Highways Agency.
