It’s not how fast you do the job, but how well you do it!
Driving is much like everything else in life, if you try and rush it you will make mistakes.
Also if you don’t follow the rules you will get into trouble.
Speed limits are an arbitrary way of regulating the pace at which vehicles travel along the roads, they don’t take into account and variations from day to day or hour to hour.
It is completely irrelevant whether I agree or disagree with the speeds set, but it is beyond discussion that they must be obeyed.
It is an overlooked fact that any business running lorries has signed a legal document specifically stating that drivers will obey the speed limits. It doesn’t say “drivers of HGV’s” it says “drivers”.
This means that a speeding offence ‘could’ cost you your operators licence, even if you don’t run trucks these offences could spell disaster if at some point later a collision occurred and speed was a factor. The records would show you had know that speed was an issued within your business and that you had done nothing about it.
So, speed is not a good thing on the roads or in normal working either.
You need to have a clear policy on your approach to speed and that needs to be communicated to your staff. Breaches of this policy should be dealt with through the disciplinary channels.
If you need help planning a policy or implementing one please give the team a call on 01623 675833.
Nigel Grainger
Managing Director
Fleet Risk Consultants.