RoSPA Fleet Safety has launched a bespoke driver development course that aims to encourage safe decision-making.

The charity points out that while the physical skill involved in driving for work is important, factors which affect driver behaviour such as stress and fatigue can put safety at risk.

The driver development course will encourage drivers to be honest about their own behaviour, to develop coping strategies for themselves as well as for the behaviour of other road users.

On booking, managers can request a focus on road risk priorities such as stress, rear-end collisions, slow-speed manoeuvring, fatigue, and speed. Trainers will then emphasise the topic that concerns managers most, while giving an overview of the other areas of risk.

The driver development course is run over a full or half-day at RoSPA’s Birmingham training centre or a mutually-agreed location. It can be conducted on either a 2:1 or 1:1 delegate to trainer ratio, and is available in a wide range of vehicle types.

Frances Richardson, RoSPA’s director of operations, said: “The course is tailored to meet the needs of the individual delegate, so is suitable for all drivers regardless of experience.

“It will enable organisations sending delegates to reduce the frequency and cost of accidents, lower downtime due to maintenance, repairs and injuries, conduct more reliable vehicle scheduling, save on fuel, tyres and spares, and enhance their reputation.”