8/14/2019 download 01-04-08 grey fleet measures

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Y STEVE MOODY

here has been a massive surge in the

mber of companies reviewing their duty-

care procedures for grey fleet drivers in

vance of the Corporate Manslaughter Act,

hich comes into force next week.

According to research published this

eek, nearly three-quarters of fleets are

rrently involved in, or have completed, a

view process on drivers who use their ownrs for business. This is in stark contrast to

x months ago, when only a quarter had

ken any action.

The findings are part of leasing giant

rvals regular research into the subject,

d shows that fleet managers are taking

eps to ensure their firms and employees

e adequately covered before the new Act.

The survey found that since the original

search in October 2007, 46% of respon-

dents are currently reviewing their grey fleet

duty of care, and a further 22% have already

completed a review. Of these, 9% have not

only completed a review but have already

implemented the necessary changes

Jenny Powley, Arval director, large corpo-

rate group, said: Our original findings

showed that grey fleet vehicles are not

subject to the same rigorous reporting and

inspection procedures as company cars, so it

is encouraging that this new research hashighlighted that the grey fleet safety message

is starting to have an effect.

However, the figures show that while

reviews are taking place, practical action in

key areas is only slowly starting to take

effect. In the most vulnerable areas for grey

fleets, 6% more businesses are now checking

that drivers have the correct insurance,

while 9% more are asking for an MoT certifi-

cate for vehicles more than three years old

and whether the vehicles are serviced at

regular intervals.

Grey fleet vehicles that are unsafe and

not fit for purpose put employees and other

road users at risk, so are a big concern to

us, said Ms Powley.

Its also important to remember that a

safe, well-driven fleet will be more cost effec-

tive and less environmentally damaging.

Although companies have a duty of care to

their drivers and should be aware of the

consequences of the Corporate Manslaugh-

ter Act and health and safety laws, it is notentirely up to fleet managers to police the

roadworthiness and fitness for purpose of

grey fleet vehicles: the Highway Code is

explicit that it is the drivers responsibility to

ensure their vehicle is roadworthy, regularly

serviced, taxed and insured for use.

Advice for grey fleet operators is part of the

Risk in Fleet conference agenda on April 22.

See page 2.

Go green,save cash

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usiness

ivers are

ore likely to

lgate and

eed on

otorways

d residential roads, a survey has

und. Three-quarters of at-work drivers

mit to speeding on motorways.

Volkswagen

paved the way

for a range of

low-emission

cars with its

successful Polo

BlueMotion. Now it has launched the Golf

BlueMotion into the lower-medium sector.

We test it against its key fleet rivals.

A holiday anywhere

hot and sunny would

suit Toomey Opticar

accounts co-ordinator

Roberta Lowes at the

moment. Find out

more about her in

our Settling In

column.

FleetNewsBusiness motoring strategy and finance3.04.082.25

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The Government has claimed that

the UK is making progress on

cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

However, environment secretary

Hilary Benn said that there is still

much work to do.

His comments followed the

publication of provisional statistics

for greenhouse gas emissions for

2007, which showed a drop of 2%

over the previous year. This

equates to a reduction of 13 million

tonnes of CO2.

These figures show we are

making progress in cutting

emissions and are on target to go

beyond our Kyoto targets. But

theres much to do at home and

abroad if we are to going to avert

dangerous climate change, said

Mr Benn. But while the Govern-ment can provide encouragement

and incentives, we also need

individuals and businesses to do

their bit to cut their carbon

footprint because its only by all of

us tackling climate change that we

will achieve success.

However, the estimates fail to

take into account high polluters,

such as the amount of CO2 emitted

from international flights taking off

and landing at UK airports.

In addition, the final estimates

will not be published for another

10 months and the typical accuracy

of these figures is put at within 1%.A Department for the Environ-

ment, Food and Rural Affairs

spokesman said: Although for any

given year considerable uncertain-

ties may surround the emissions

estimates for a pollutant, it is

important to note that trends over

time are likely to be much more

reliable.

Fleets take action

ahead of new lawProcedures over grey fleets reviewed ahead of Corporate Manslaughter Act

46% of businesses are reviewing their fleet duty of care. 12% of businesses completed a review in the past four months; changes being made.

More than 9% completed a review in the past four months; changes in place.

Since the last piece of research, 6% more respondents are checking that drivers of non-

company vehicles driven on company business have the correct insurance.

Since the latest research, 9% more respondents require drivers of private cars driven on

company business to produce MoT certificates for vehicles more than three years old.

Since the 2007 research, 9% more respondents check whether vehicles driven on

company business are serviced at regular intervals.

16% of businesses do not plan to take any action regarding their fleet duty of care.

16% of businesses are not aware of the Corporate Manslaughter Act.

Source: Arval

FLEETACTION

Governmenthails CO2 cuts

More firms are now asking whether greyfleet vehicles are being regularly serviced