Grey fleet drivers not asked to sign a driving-for-work policy

Just one-third of employers ask so-called grey fleet drivers to sign and adhere to a driving-for-work policy, according to new research from TTC Group.

Furthermore, despite 99% of fleets surveyed by TTC Group confirming they proactively promote responsible and safe business driving, just over half said they invest in training for employees who drive their own car on business.

Businesses that fail to implement a robust driving-for-work policy, backed by training, are falling short of their grey fleet duty of care, says training and compliance expert, TTC.

“Any business that asks its staff to drive for work, including grey fleet drivers, should take a holistic approach to reducing risk,” said David Marsh, CEO of TTC Group. 

“It’s alarming to learn that so many grey fleet drivers do not know what confirmations they must provide before driving for work, what is expected of them when on the road and what their responsibilities are going forward, all of which a good driving-for-work policy will outline.

“Furthermore, whilst it’s slightly better news that one in two businesses we surveyed offer training to grey fleet drivers, there are still a significant number of people driving for work purposes on the UK’s roads who are not armed with the skills they need.”

Driver training is an essential tool to help grey fleet drivers reduce their own risk, giving them the information and tools they need to make informed driving decisions, stay safe on the road and drive more economically, says TTC. 

Every driver is unique and therefore presents a different risk requiring individual focus for ongoing training, which could include everything from hazard perception to loading and lifting.  

A truly holistic approach to reducing grey fleet risk will include driver checks and licence validation, which can highlight those with the most critical need for driver training. 

Only 31% of fleet professionals surveyed confirmed they support driver rehabilitation through training for those who had received a speeding, drink, or drug driving offence.

Once trained, 39% of businesses follow-up with post-training information to drivers to ensure they retain and act on new insights and knowledge gained, underlining again that an ongoing commitment to training is lacking across the board.

Marsh concluded: “Grey fleets can be seen as the easier and cheaper alternative to running, owning or leasing a company car fleet, but our research suggests businesses are putting themselves, their grey fleet drivers and other road users at unnecessary risk by not putting in place vital measures to protect all concerned. 

“With more deaths occurring from at work road trips than at the workplace itself, it is clear that proactively promoting responsible and safe driving should equal positive action, not just words.”