Wiltshire Council has enrolled 250 employees onto a six month trial of Fleet Support Group’s web-enabled Riskmaster safe driving scheme.
The pilot will run to the end of March 2011 and could then be rolled out to up to 5000 of the council’s full-time and part-time staff, volunteers and agency workers who make up its grey fleet through driving their own vehicles on council business.
According to the law, employers are responsible for at-work drivers whether using company cars or their own vehicles.
Riskmaster manages vehicles, drivers and journeys to enable employers to reduce the risk exposure of staff on the road.
Under the scheme Permits to Drive are issued to all employees who meet key criteria laid down by the employer on enrolment into the system.
Wiltshire Council’s fleet project leader Simon Dale said: “The introduction of the system is about improving employee welfare, ensuring the council meets its duty of care responsibilities and making the roads safer for everyone.”
Although he admitted compliance with the law was the main priority, Dale claimed productivity and efficiency would improve through safer driving minimizing absenteeism.
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