KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
28th January 2021

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Van drivers face increasing dangers

Van operators must remind their drivers of the increased dangers of winter driving, according to The Fuelcard People. Steve Clarke, group marketing manager, has commented upon a joint publication from the Department of Transport and the National Office for Statistics, modelling the impact of the weather on road casualty statistics.

He says: "Common sense dictates that road accidents are more likely in bad weather, but this research shows just how seriously fleets could be affected and it has important duty of care implications."

The DfT and ONS evaluated monthly road accident statistics between January 1991 and December 2014. The casualties were grouped by fatalities, seriously injured and slightly injured. These were further classified as car occupants, motorcycle users, cyclists and pedestrians. Van drivers were not treated separately. Altogether, these amounted to 94% of all road accident casualties during the 14-year period.

The DfT and ONS used Met Office data to map the monthly casualties against rainfall and temperature figures during the same timeframe.

The analysis showed that slight injuries for motorists rose with higher rainfall for every month of the year. It also showed that above average rain, sleet and snow was accompanied by higher numbers of serious injuries during six months of the year. One apparent anomaly, that fewer cyclists are killed during colder than average winter months, could be due to fewer people cycling when the weather is particularly cold.

Steve says: "This long and complex report has confirmed that colder winter weather and higher than average rainfall means more serious accidents. As Winter approaches, van and other LCV users must accept not just that their drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents, but that the consequences are also likely to be more serious.

"This increases the duty of care liability on managers. If a post-accident investigation shows that a van driver has not been advised of the need for greater care during winter, it could be argued that their manager has neglected duty of care obligations."

Steve Clare is ideally positioned to comment, with The Fuelcard People working every day with LCV fleets of all sizes and types. Although best known for its cost-saving fuel cards, it also provides a wide range of services that help with every aspect of fleet management, including meeting duty of care requirements.

T: 0844 870 6942
E: [email protected]
W: www.thefuelcardpeople.co.uk

11th December 2015