Road safety charity Brake has published two new reports for fleet managers on managing young driver risk.

The survey report and best practice guidance have been produced as part of Brake's campaign to help organisations save lives, money and the environment by improving fleet safety.

The guidance includes expert advice delivered at a Brake seminar on ‘young drivers at work' held late last year. It is published alongside the first of four reports on a recent Brake survey of fleet managers, sponsored by Licence Bureau; part one focusses on how young at-work drivers are managed. Both reports provide insight into the risks posed by employing novice drivers and advice on how to minimise those risks to maximise the safety of the whole fleet.

These publications are especially pertinent in light of the UK government's planned green paper on improving the safety of and reducing risks to young drivers, and Brake's recently-published survey results showing widespread public support for elements of graduated driver licensing (GDL). As referenced in the guidance, elements of GDL can be adopted by fleet managers to improve the safety of young drivers.

Traffic fatalities are the most common cause of death for 15 to 24 year-olds worldwide. As at-work drivers of any age are up to 26% more likely to crash than other drivers, Brake says it is vital for fleet managers to take action to manage this high-risk group.

Almost a quarter (23%) of respondents to the survey did not know what proportion of their vehicle collisions involved a young driver. Fleets that do not record and maintain this information are unable to assess and mitigate their risk.

Roz Cumming, professional engagement manager at Brake, said: "Fleet managers must be proactive in managing the risks associated with young drivers. This includes keeping an up-to-date record of drivers' ages, as well as detailed records of drivers' involvement in crashes. These reports highlight the importance of managing young driver risk, and provide practical steps for fleet managers to follow. I'd urge anyone who doesn't already subscribe to sign up to Brake's Fleet Safety Forum to get access to these resources and many others like them."

Les Owen, compliance consultant at Licence Bureau, said: "Companies should positively manage young drivers by checking key areas of risk reduction regularly. Showing an interest in how they drive will influence the driving. These two new Brake reports provide valuable information and guidance to help fleet managers address the risks."
 

Author: Fleet News