Fleet profile
The company supplements Openshaw’s driver training efforts by hiring external driver trainers with every vehicle including vans and cars of all powertrains.
Openshaw explains that drivers on his fleet usually take to EVs quickly: “I’ve taken drivers out on the road and shown them how to drive them and when we switch they get the hang of it virtually straight away, they’re that simple to drive.”
The company has rolled out online driver risk assessments to all new starters. As well as identifying any areas for improvement, the process also sets the tone for what is expected from a driver while they are working for the group. “There is around an hour-long induction going through aspects of business driving such as speed limits, mobile phone usage, how to carry out vehicle and tyre checks, and what to do in the case of an accident,” Openshaw notes.
Below: The wider adoption of EVs has seen the company significantly reduce the rates of company drivers involved in motoring incidents.
To counteract false liability claims, the company has implemented dash cams across its van fleet.
Openshaw explains, “There were quite a few incidents where if we had a dashcam, it wouldn't have been deemed our fault, despite appearing that way because we’re driving
“The fact they’re concentrating on conserving the battery also often makes them better drivers.”
white vans, so to speak.” However, using video evidence, the company has been able to defend many of its drivers who Openshaw says he had no reason to disbelieve. The dash cams have simultaneously enabled the company to leverage insights from the vans to enhance the overall driving conduct of both its car and van fleet drivers. “We’ve been able to use the data we’ve captured to educate drivers on speeding, harsh braking, idling and fuel consumption, to name a few.” Although telematics is only installed on the van fleet, “we very much take those learnings to the car fleet,” Openshaw says. Openshaw believes standards in legislation will continue to pose a challenge for his fleet and other similar fleets, with all fleet managers facing the same challenges. “I’m on the Association of Fleet Professionals where we look into best practices for fleets,” he says. The Association regularly
lobbies the government to support road operations, increase awareness of best practice and support fleet managers in running compliant, effective operations.
Ultimately, Openshaw says a successful fleet is down to who manages it. “It is vital in my opinion to have a fleet professional who oversees everything.” His experience and training means he has a full understanding of legislation coming down the pipeline and how to take care of the company and its drivers.
“If it’s a small fleet it’s not ideal, but it’s possible for it to be managed by HR or health and safety professionals,” he adds, “but bigger fleets like ours undoubtedly need a dedicated fleet manager. There are so many changes happening that the person running the fleet needs to know what’s coming and when. If you get it wrong, it’ll cost you a fortune.”
22 | March 2024 |
www.businesscar.co.uk
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