Graham Hurdle's blog: 9 January 2012 - Windy isn't it?

Date: 09 January 2012

Graham Hurdle is managing director of E-Training World

You'll be relieved to know that I'm not here to give you a weather forecast, but what I would like to ask is why the authorities feel the need to close bridges, why lorries are being blown off roads and why cars are being hit by trees?

The answer: Because drivers gamble with their safety.

If the bridges weren't shut, cars and lorries would be travelling across them now. No-one believes their vehicle will be affected. No-one thinks they will be the one injured or, worse still, killed. It takes someone in a position of authority to say "Don't drive in those dangerous conditions!"

So, if you are a company boss or fleet manager, or someone in a position of authority in the corporate sector, hands up how many of you have put out a clear message to all at-work drivers that they shouldn't drive today unless the journey is deemed safe and necessary.

Of course, there will be many who have done this - but not enough. Our roads are full of van drivers making deliveries in treacherous conditions, trucks snailing along the inside lane of the motorways feeling the wind rocking their vehicle and company car drivers gripping their steering wheels trying to keep their car under control every time they're buffeted by a big gust.

2012 is being hailed by many as the year when the company vehicle sector places duty of care at the top of its agenda. But in what we would all agree are very dangerous driving conditions the roads are busy today, and we're only three days into the calendar.

So is it really high on the agenda? Or is risk management just a load of hot air?

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