Society has become very dependent upon the motor vehicle for transport. This dependency can be for both work and for pleasure. When a driver gets behind the wheel, do they consider the consequences of their actions from their driving behaviour and ability?

Initially our ability to drive is assessed by an authority and once the assessment is passed, it is a driver’s responsibility to maintain and update their knowledge regarding new road rules or extra defensive techniques. This then poses the question do we have a right to drive or is it a privilege that we have to earn?

Driving has many potential dangers due to many factors on the roads. These factors may come from other road users, the road conditions or from our own driving behaviour.

There are road rules and regulations that we must obey; however, every day car crashes occur and people are either injured or killed. The costs to society from these crashes are worth millions of dollars every year, including grief and heartache to family and friends.

More than 90% of road crashes occur due to driver error and more than half of these occur due to drivers disobeying traffic rules. Statistics also show that the most common cause of workplace deaths and injuries is through the use of the company vehicle. Employees who drive company vehicles are more than twice as likely to be involved in a crash than the average motorist.

The dangers of driving are emphasised through the media, through personal experiences and through everyday conversations we have with other drivers. These dangers are reduced through media campaigns, our own driving experience, law enforcement, legislation, and driver education.

In Australia, driver education comes in many forms of post and pre-licence training. This training is not obligatory but it is at times strongly advised. Driver education should be informative, easy to learn and understand, and provide the ability to be constantly used. It should also allow the driver to continually evaluate his or her own driving performance to help improve safe driving techniques and decrease costs associated with operating a vehicle. Most importantly it should alter the behaviour of the driver.

This education should also emphasise a drivers responsibility and attitude making for a safer interaction with other road users.

Costs associated with operating and owning a vehicle always seem to be on the increase. Due to these ongoing costs, it may seem the vehicle is a liability rather than an asset. Although these costs can be variable and considerable, they are also influenced by the way we drive:

• Insurance
• Maintenance
• Fuel

If the vehicle is involved in a collision, then other costs need to be taken into account as well;

• Insurance excess
• Down time from work
• Replacement vehicle
• Smash repairs
• The human cost

For the employer these costs can be quite overwhelming.

Occupational Workplace Health and Safety legislation provides the workplace with legal obligations for both employees and employers, when owning and operating the company vehicle. Many organisations realise their responsibilities and are providing employees with the opportunity to improve their driving behaviour.

When every driver first obtains a licence, their driving standard is very high, however as time and experience takes over, drivers become very complacent about their driving style and behaviour. The consequence of this can be increased costs, poor company profile and increased potential for car crashes.

Through proper driver retraining and education, company fleet costs can be reduced, the profile of the organisation increased and the safety and morale of employees improved.

Don’t be a statistic, driving is an experience that should be enjoyed.

Why not find out from an accredited driver trainer.

This is a one-on-one driving session that evaluates your driving habits and behaviours and through constructive feedback will help you change these to make you a more aware, defensive and more economical driver.