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Roddy Graham's blog: 14 August 2013 - drink driving and warning lights
Date: 14 August 2013
Two recent statistics have emerged in surveys that should be of concern to fleet managers.
The first relates to drink-driving. According to the Department for Transport, the number of road deaths involving drink-drive motorists rose by 26% last year, bucking a previously downward trend.
That said, the number of related deaths was still a quarter lower than in 2009, but the fact that 290 people were killed on UK roads in 2012 due to alcohol consumption is disturbing.
While the Advertising Association was quick to point out that a drop in the number of public awareness campaigns was a contributing factor, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has called for a lower drink-drive limit as a result of the big rise in related deaths.
Astonishingly, in the 1980s, the number of deaths was measured in the thousands (over 1,400) rather than the hundreds. By comparison, 2011 was the lowest on record for drink-drive deaths with 230 killed.
While I'm sure the Government will not change the drink-drive limit at this time, fleet managers should be mindful of the increase and remind company car drivers to not drink and drive.
Meanwhile, research conducted by British Car Auctions has revealed that an amazing 23% of drivers ignore red dashboard warning lights, a truly astonishing statistic given cars also have amber ones to highlight a mechanical defect requiring attention.
It would appear that some drivers need educating on the gravity level of a red light, which means stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so!
For nearly a quarter of drivers to blithely continue their journey with 5.5% even admitting that they would get around to sorting out the problem later when they had the time is incredulous.
Just over a third of those surveyed admitted to ignoring any amber advisory warning lights, deferring attention to a later date. Indeed, 59% stated they would continue to the end of their journey before looking into the problem.
If the figures are a true reflection of the driver population as a whole then an education programme among company car drivers is needed to avoid unnecessary and unexpected fleet costs.
Influencing driver behaviour relates not only to conduct on the road but also to care for a valuable company asset.
Drivers prepared to blow up engines through ignoring warning tell-tale signals and red warning lights should not be allowed to pass on the resultant repair bill to their employers without some form of penalty.
The same applies to grey fleet drivers who, due to economic constraint, fail to have their vehicles regularly serviced. As it is, a third of drivers delay booking a service for up to a month despite dashboard reminders. The same survey revealed that 15% admitted in the past year to delaying or putting off repairs until a later date.
Avoiding getting known problems sorted is short-term thinking as it costs the driver or their company, more in the long-term.
Those responsible for fleet should ensure company car and grey fleet drivers have their vehicles regularly serviced and maintained and act as quickly as possible when a warning light comes on.
Furthermore, fleet policy should state that drivers need to regularly check oil and fluid levels. In some cases, the damage is done before the warning light comes on.
Ignoring vehicle warning lights and drink-driving are two things you definitely do at your peril.
