ETS Distribution sees 30% drop in number of road accidents
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roger.brown@rbi.co.uk LOUGHBOROUGH-based ETS Distribution says it has recorded 30% fewer road accidents involving its trucks since it introduced a new safe driving programme for its staff.
Paul Wreaves, operations director at the company, told the Brake Fleet Safety conference in Birmingham on 3 March that since it launched its driving safety initiative three years ago, the company’s insurance premiums have also dropped by 20% and it is now using 15% less fuel.
As part of the project, ETS decided to buy a new telematics system in 2008 and, at the same time, introduced a driver-trainer to manage the project.
Initial driver performance data was used to set internal benchmarks and individual drivers were set performance accuracy targets of 95%.
Drivers were also provided with one-to-one on the job training and follow-up review meetings to discuss training needs in areas like speeding, harsh braking and acceleration.
Wreaves says the key to the success of the project was the driver trainer acting as a ‘coach and mentor’ to the drivers rather than one of their managers.
“The trainer and drivers became a team focused on safer driving practices. The key was that the drivers saw the trainer as a friend who they could empathise with and trust, as opposed to someone shouting orders at them.” He says ETS – which runs 25 trucks – plans to reduce its HGV speed limit from 56mph to 54mph in an effort to continue reducing the number of incidents involving its vehicles.
“We aim to raise the driver performance accuracy igure from 95% to 97% and introduce a zero road incident target.”