A6 - Fleet Risk Management - Driver Selection & Assessment
Imagine the situation (one of several provided to our workgroups): car leaves road on bend; recent wet weather, difficult terrain, driver - male, returning from successful sales presentation, time - just after lunch, vehicle - newly upgraded, witness statements say he was 'going too fast'. How should we pick out the salient features and establish root causes? What should we do to prevent such accidents, improve the fleet experience and reduce the cost of risk?
The simple truth emerging from our deep and broad analysis was that none of these hypothetical (but all too plausible) accidents would have occurred, under any circumstances, without someone behind the steering wheel. If that sounds so obvious why have many existing fleet risk management programmes focussed on routes, road conditions and vehicle handling rather than on modifying driver attitudes and behaviour?
And, according to Dr. Lisa Dorn, Director of the Driving Research Group at Cranfield University and Mike Tansey, a claims specialist at RSA, that is where we should direct our attention and target our resources. They gave us a fresh look at tools and techniques available. Training should be more psychological and tailored to overcome false perceptions, self delusions and blind spots in the driver's head rather than on the highway. There are external training providers (Peak Performance is one) who can meet these requirements and there are driving simulators available - some very impressive.
We left the room with greater insight and determination. If you would like to learn more why not call the AIRMIC Office for contact details.
Thanks to Stephen Elston for this report
A6 Fleet Risk Management - Driver Selection and Assessment (RSA)