REDUCING RISKS THROUGH TRAINING
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• Road rage isn't confined to drivers these days; it can strike truck owners when they receive repair estimates or hikes in their insurance premiums.
One way to reduce the accident problem—and get those premiums down—is to send drivers on oneday defensive driving courses. These include theory, supervised road work and, sometimes, manoeuvring.
"It's based on extension of observation and hazard spotting," says Bob Smalley, driver training manager at RoSPA, one of several organisations running such courses. "It teaches how to create more space around a vehicle emergencies." Key targets are following too close, misuse of mirrors (especially nearside ones) and manoeuvring around premises. But it's also important to make drivers realise the stress caused by congestion and impossible schedules won't be solved by tail-gating the guy in front or rushing up to junctions. "Drivers are usually suspicious at first, but once they realise we treat them as professionals and use their experience the result is very positive," says Mr Smalley. Some large fleet operators are so impressed they're sending their drivers on longer advanced driving courses. Why not, when insurers will pick up much of the bill? RoSPA 0121-706 8121.