MOTORING


Don’t be in the dark when it comes to your fleet in 2018


With research suggesting that more than a fifth of UK companies don’t have a road safety policy in place, the AA is calling on fleet managers and business owners to ensure their employees’ vehicles are effectively managed within a health and safety road policy. The call comes after the recent


poor weather conditions in the UK, which left many employees stranded at home, unable to travel, or broken down in an attempt to get to work in the hazardous conditions.


‘Many company car drivers have been left unsure of their company’s policy, with some still attempting to travel in the snow’


You can also decide which


driving mood (or mode) you want, the most soothing of which is Comfort, in which the car seems to ‘chill’ and smooths out any road imperfections. But if you want to drive by the


seat of your pants then it has to be Dynamic, which sharpens all the car’s damper settings, accelerator response and reduces body roll. So, how does it drive? Well, it’s


quick and it has a real amount of thump in any gear when you bury the right foot, which is all the more tempting because of the wonderful exhaust note. It worries me, being petrol,


that the emissions are higher than the outgoing version at 189g/km, although that’s still good for a car of this size and is Euro 6 compliant. And it’s not quite as fuel- guzzling as you might think, offering around 34mpg on average. So has the transition from


diesel to petrol worked? Of course it has. Would the previous diesel


version still be a good buy? Absolutely. Which would I prefer? Come


on Audi, please let’s have another diesel SQ5.


Stuart Thomas, Director of Fleet


and SME services at the AA, said: “There is a clear need for businesses to ensure their health and safety policy contains guidance on road safety. In particular, this applies to so-called grey fleets, the terms used to describe any vehicles which are used for business travel but are not owned by the company. This should include guidance on what to do in the event of poor weather conditions. Many company car drivers have been left unsure of their company’s policy, with some still attempting to travel in the snow. “However, this road safety


guidance need is greater than just providing advice to handle the occasional periods of bad weather. Company car drivers are 49% more likely to be involved in an accident than ordinary drivers, even when higher mileages are considered. “Ensure your road safety policy


covers every issue your drivers could face, from prohibiting alcohol and drug use while driving, to driver behaviour and self-care behind the wheel. It is also worth introducing driver training as part of your organisation’s health and safety policy. By including these measures,


fleets and businesses can easily improve their employees’ safety and efficiency in 2018, and beyond.”


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St. James House, St. Mary’s Wharf, Mansfield Road, Derby DE1 3TQ business network February 2018 69


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