Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\FacebookOpenGraph.xslt Graham Hurdle blog: 21st October: would a harder driving test result in safer company drivers or less company drivers?
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Graham Hurdle blog: 21st October: would a harder driving test result in safer company drivers or less company drivers?

Date: 21 October 2014

Graham Hurdle is managing director of E-Training World

Some topics seem to raise their heads every so often - one being a call for a tougher basic car driving test.

Google it, and you'll see plenty of arguments for making it more difficult to pass - from driving down accidents to reducing the numbers of vehicles on our already congested roads.

But is it a good idea? Less drivers means companies would see a reduction in the number of mobile employees to meet customers, go out selling, deliver goods, make service calls etc.

The knock-on effect could be for businesses to turn to foreign drivers, many of whom are unaccustomed to UK driving and road laws meaning the problem hasn't been solved, but simply by-passed.

If we focus on the corporate side of things (forgetting other car drivers for now), rather than toughen the car driving test, I feel we should look at the benefits of on-going training after the basic test.

With online driver training growing rapidly in the corporate sector, isn't it time the Government looked at its role in the regular training and assessment of all company drivers.

Why can't drivers conduct online assessments and web-based driver training to maintain their driving licence if their role involves any form of driving at work?

Why can't companies be given financial incentives, such as tax breaks or grants, to encourage them to train at-work drivers?

Some might say this would be a crazy idea. But CPC exists for HGV and PCV drivers. Why is a car or van driver, who is driving to fulfill their work duties too, any different? Why are HGV and PCV drivers expected to comply when other at-work drivers aren't even looked at after passing a basic test?

Safer drivers means less accidents, less injuries, less deaths and reduced costs. The benefits to companies, and the economy as a whole, are widespread.



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