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Businesses should remind their drivers of health and safety policies as they return to the road post-lockdown, according to Venson Automotive Solutions.
The firm said that an increase in road traffic congestion was expected as Covid-19 measures were lifted, as seen in summer 2020, and that a well-communicated health and safety policy could significantly reduce the burden of returning to business driving.
Venson marketing director Alison Bell said: "Those employees that have either been working from home or furloughed this year, are likely to have used their vehicle less and taken shorter journeys when needing to drive. It is therefore important that both drivers and vehicles are road fit.
"Vehicles used solely for business may have sat idle for some time and not undergone the necessary safety checks that might usually have been carried out on a day-to-day basis, such as battery, windscreen wipers, tyre pressure, oil level, loads, etc.
"Individuals who have failed to manage the safety of a vehicle risk fines, penalty points and a ban from driving. Employers can also be held liable for failures to manage road risk under health and safety law."
Bell said companies that offer their staff a driver safety training programme could consider getting them to retake the training before they start driving again. She also suggested employees should be given a refresher on pre-driving safety checks.
She continued: "Furthermore, to ensure drivers can adjust to getting behind the wheel and don't become fatigued, employers need to make sure they closely manage journey schedules.
"This will mean employees have sufficient time to complete their jobs, avoid speeding, do not drive excessive hours, get adequate breaks and rest periods and, avoid driving at peak accident times.
"It has been a tough year already for everyone and it is essential that businesses comply with health and safety measures to get staff back on the road safely."
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