Nigel Grainger brings together a related set of skills that all fleets require, to greater or lesser
degrees, but which may not have the staffing or the skills to fulfil those needs.
Bringing his wealth of experience in all areas of fleet management he offers a bespoke service through his company Fleet Risk Consultants, providing you with a cost effective fleet that complies fully with your 'duty of care' requirements.Risk Management – Snow, Mobile Phones and Idiocy
Whilst I have been driving along the roads of the UK this week in the poor conditions I have been astounded by the state of some of the vehicles around me. I have observed cars being driven with uncleared windows and also some of those same drivers using a hand-held mobile phone at the same time, now from a Risk Management perspective this is absolute idiocy.
I am not aware of any technology, yet, on vehicles that allows the vehicle to drive itself whilst the driver is occupied on another task. So these drivers on hand-held mobile phones are clearly either the most skillful drivers on the road or the most stupid.
Driving in snow and ice takes all of your attention and you need both hands to correct any skid that may occur, so how can you do that with a phone in your hand?
This strikes me a being rather stupid as the cost of £25.00 for a bluetooth headset, against a £60.00 fine and 3 penalty points for being caught driving whilst using a mobile phone. That is if the driver is lucky enough to get away with just a fine and points, instead of a serious injury or worse.
I am not saying that using a hands-free mobile phone is that much safer, but it is not specifically illegal. The studies show that the use of a hands-free mobile phone makes the drivers reaction times slower than a similar driver at the legal drink drive limit for the UK. This means that even a hands-free mobile phone is not really a safe option either.
We advise companies on the best Risk Management solution for their business in line with Corporate Manslaughter Legislation, but we always advise against the use of mobile phones whilst driving wherever possible.
If you are concerned about whether your business is sending drivers out without the right information, you can give us a call and we will undertake a FREE heath check for your business.
And if you are one of those idiotic drivers using a hand-held mobile phone, all I can say is ‘Save your life’ get a bluetooth.
Nigel Grainger
Senior Consultant
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