In the UK, more than 150 vehicles driven on company business crash each day. Every year, an estimated 7000 deaths and injuries on UK roads involve at-work drivers. Business pays for this.

Research, released today (13 July 2010) by eSafetyAware, shows 60% of fleet managers in the UK believe safety is an important consideration when procuring vehicles. However, further responses in the survey of more than 100 fleet managers and decision makers in the UK, show many are not acting on their beliefs.

Fleet managers and decision makers are losing out financially by overlooking safety, says RoadSafe.

For more …

An important Easter message that could save childrens’ lives:

In the run up to the Easter holidays, the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) has issued advice to parents on how to keep their children safe on the road, both in the car and on the pavement.

Peter Rodger, IAM Chief Examiner, said: “The key to keeping your child safe on the road is vigilance and information. Knowing which seat to use and when to use it is just as important as knowing the right way to fit it.

“You should also lead by example, as children’s behaviour is heavily influenced by their parents. Act responsibly when you drive, walk or cycle and your children will learn from your behaviour.”

More IAM road safety advice for parents:

In the Car:

• Ideally a child under three should travel in the back and they must be in an appropriate child restraint, not an adult belt. Children under the age of 12 (or under 135cm tall) must use a child restraint if available. If not, it’s acceptable for an adult seat belt to be used instead.
• Children aged 14 or over must always use an adult seatbelt if available.
• Never put a rear facing baby seat in the front where there is an active passenger airbag.
• If an appropriate restraint or seat belt is in the front, but not the back, a child aged three to 11 years old must use that.
• Isofix seat mounts are the safest way to secure a baby or child seat in your car. Most seat manufacturers make products designed specifically for use with these super-strong mounting points, which are common in many modern cars, and very easy to use.
• Once it’s in, grip the car seat and push it backwards and forwards- if it is fitted properly, the car should move and not the car seat.

On the Pavement:

• Don’t push the buggy out first when checking if it’s OK to cross the road.
• If your child is walking or running ahead of you on the pavement, never let them get further from you than they are from the road.

A survey of over 400 drivers carried out by Glass’s Guide, the vehicle valuation site, reveals that instead of regular ice scrapers and de-icer sprays,90 per cent of those asked admitted to using ‘alternative’ de-icing methods.Some strange tools used recently to remove ice and snow from their vehicles included an old vehicle licence plate,a hair dryer,the base of a computer monitor and a shovel.

One in 10 said that they used either a credit card or a shopper’s loyalty card to scrape ice off the car, while a similar proportion admitted to using a household broom.  Another 23 per cent said that they relied on the car’s own heating system to melt the snow and ice. Pouring hot or warm water over an iced-up car was a popular method among a further 13 per cent.

“Throughout the winter drivers have been advised to make sure their vehicles are completely clear of snow and ice before setting off,” says Andy Carroll, Managing Director at Glass’s.  “However, many motorists seem to have been caught unprepared, and it is worrying to hear how some have resorted to fairly desperate measures.  Car owners should think carefully about the potential damage they could cause to their vehicles by cutting corners or using extreme methods when getting ready for the road.  They risk incurring significant costs for rectification to mistreated glass, paintwork and body panels or even reducing the desirability and value of their cars.”

The survey also asked respondents to identify which parts of the vehicle they ensure are completely free of ice before driving away.  Whilst almost everyone said they clear the windscreen and front windows, an alarming 36 per cent fail to take care of car headlamps and another 30 per cent leave the rear windows frosted over.

“These results are particularly worrying and suggest that many people are not spending enough time properly readying their vehicles before setting off,” added Carroll.  “With further cold weather expected, it is essential that motorists do not neglect basic road safety, ensuring they can see and be seen when driving in wintry conditions.”

Glass’s Guide