The Real Cost of Avoiding Driver Training
Many companies implement occupational risk programmes primarily to tick the Duty of Care compliance box. However, the risk of prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter Act, coupled with the substantial increase in health and safety fines since 2016, makes road safety a serious legal and financial concern.
Some of the most common objections to driver training are cost and time. But if you think training is expensive, try having a crash!
The true cost of an incident goes far beyond vehicle damage—it’s just the tip of the iceberg. When you factor in:
✅ Administrative costs
✅ Lost productivity and vehicle downtime
✅ Potential legal consequences
✅ Reputational damage
…it becomes clear that a few hours of training is a smart investment that pays dividends.
A robust driving-for-work assessment and training programme does more than just keep your organisation compliant. It can significantly reduce collision rates, along with all the associated costs, while also improving fuel efficiency, extending tyre life, and reducing overall wear and tear.
Smart companies don’t just tick boxes—they invest in prevention.
Your Legal Responsibility
- The Health and Safety At Work Act 1974 requires you to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all employees while at work.
- You need to carry out a Health and Safety Risk Assessment of your employees, while they are at work.
- The HSE has defined that the vehicle is a workplace if used in the course of an employee’s working day.
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states you have a responsibility to manage health and safety effectively.
THE CORPORATE MANSLAUGTHER ACT 2007
- Should someone who is driving on your behalf be involved in a fatal road traffic crash, managers as well as the company could be investigated by the Health and Safety Executive and⁄or the Police for not only a breach of health and safety, but possibly a conviction for Corporate Manslaughter.
- This could include a heavy fine of up to 10% of the company’s annual turnover and possibly even a prison sentence.
This applies not just to company vehicle drivers, but also to car allowance and own vehicle casual users.
If they are driving for work, they are at work.
Choosing targeted or all employee business driver training, the benefits are clear!
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The Benefits of Driver Training
✔ Demonstrates compliance with current health and safety legislation and reinforces your organisation’s commitment to road safety.
✔ Encourages ongoing improvement in driving skills and safety awareness, both on and off the job.
✔ Fewer traffic incidents mean less vehicle and driver downtime—remember the iceberg effect!
✔ Minimises disruptions caused by compromised scheduling, accident investigations, missed deadlines, and extra administrative work.
✔ Reduces legal risk, offering protection from potential prosecution.
✔ Lowers fuel and maintenance costs, improving overall efficiency.
✔ Supports sustainability efforts by contributing to lower carbon emissions.
Investing in driver training isn’t just about compliance—it’s about safety, efficiency, and responsibility.
BUSINESS DRIVER PROGRAMME
Providing Fleet Driver Training for your business. BAODT takes a pride in its ability to make driving safer for everyone and drive your road risk down.
BAODT can provide:
- Road risk workshops
- Presentation and on road driver assessments and training
- Driver evaluation reports
Areas covered for Fleet Driver Training: Thames Valley (Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire)