How’s My Driving? - Safe Driving Blog Tips

According to The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), figures released today reveal the largest ever number of vans recorded on British roads. It’s not really surprising when you consider the growth of e-commerce over the past decade. People feel much more confident doing their shopping online these days, and now that so many retail companies are offering free collection services too, more and more consumers are opting to get their goods delivered to their door. This means big business for couriers all over the country, and thus a massive increase in commercial delivery vehicles.

 “Commercial vehicles really are the lifeblood of the UK economy and this growth reflects the changing way British families shop, with much more emphasis on e-retail and home delivery.”

Jenny Powley RAC Business sales director corporate

With such a shift in retail habits over the last two decades, and such a massive increase in van registrations, it begs the question, what are courier fleets doing to ensure road safety?

What steps are being taken to ensure road safety?

With all this extra business comes extra competition, and with extra competition comes the prospect of increased safety risk. However, even though the pressure on courier fleets to compete with each other is very intense indeed, the majority are simply not prepared to risk the safety of their divers or those around them for the sake of business. Courier fleets will do all they can to improve road safety for very obvious reasons.

·       Reduce the risk of injury or worse

·       Avoid potential criminal charges

·       Keep fleet repair/replacement costs to a minimum

·       Keep insurance premiums low

·       Maintain customer confidence

·       Maintain a good business brand reputation

Generally speaking, regular driving licence checks, vehicle checks, and owner-driver insurance checks are carried out by courier companies as standard practice. The criteria for selecting new couriers is also usually very strict, and shows just how acutely aware couriers have become about the huge impact they have on British roads during this new age of ecommerce. However, there is always something more that can be done, and making a commitment to the How’s-My-Driving scheme (HMD) is a logical and cost effective step.

Enhancing driver conscience and public trust with HMD stickers

It’s very difficult to go much further than screening your drivers and ensuring that they only ever have realistic routes and accomplishable goals. It isn’t always enough to have your drivers (including owner-drivers) displaying your livery, thus making them ambassadors for the company either. In fact, it’s nigh on impossible to keep your eye on your entire fleet, and this results in an enormous amount of trust being placed on individual couriers, making them highly responsible for the service they are providing.

Whilst an individual courier’s focus is naturally on completing their deliveries, displaying the HMD sticker on the back of their van, sharpens their already professional focus on safety too; something that is already a massive part of their day to day life. After all, wouldn’t we all drive much better knowing that there’s a telephone number on the back of our car people could call if they didn’t think we were up to the task?

The addition of HMD stickers is a relatively simple, yet highly effective step that all diligent courier fleets could take. These simple stickers are the perfect way to support your already safety conscious driver, whilst making a bold and influential statement that you as a company are indeed a member of a respected group of drivers that are proud to be scrutinized.

Professional drivers welcome the scrutiny

Virtually all professional drivers welcome the addition of a HMD badge on the back of their van. These drivers are confident enough in their abilities to complete their daily tasks whilst driving safely, and they realise that the addition of a HMD sticker is not an invitation for punitive measures, it’s an opportunity for improvement. Many courier fleets have already seen a huge decrease in accidents, not only because their drivers are arguably more conscientiousness, but also because any issues have been brought to their attention before they became serious problems.

Displaying HMD stickers on your fleet shows a degree of professionalism that’s very important, and indeed much needed in the vastly expanding courier industry. Start to enjoy the benefits of membership:

·       Have fewer accidents

·       Lower your insurance premiums

·       Improve your reputation

·       Demonstrate your commitment to road safety

·       Earn public trust

Get “The Ultimate Driver’s Badge” on your fleet today…