RUNNING a small business is demanding. We know that here at Business Car Manager towers.
There’s always plenty to do: planning, operations, client meetings, cars to test, stories to write, managing the business…
The list goes on. And I suspect that’s the same for most small businesses and SME firms.
But if you manage a small fleet of company cars – or even if your drivers use their own cars on business – you should take time to make sure that they know some of the basics of road safety.
Most of it’s commonsense. But it’s always wrong to assume. And some of your company car drivers might not have the same commonsense as you do.
So here are some great tips for safer driving. They’ve been compiled by contract hire funder Arval for the United Nations Global Road Safety Week (6-12 May).
If you do plenty of long journeys on business – as I do in my Audi A3 – or your drivers pound the miles on behalf of your firm then there’s some really good stuff in here.
So share it with your drivers.
Arval’s Top Tips for Safer Driving
- Belt up on every journey – always wear your seat belt and make sure your passengers do too (front and back).
- Protect your neck – adjust your head restraint and save yourself from whiplash.
- Keep your distance – always keep a 2 second gap between you and the vehicle in front.
- Slow down – don’t exceed the speed limit! Adjust your speed around schools and in poor weather conditions.
- Concentrate – just a moment’s distraction can kill. Give the job of driving your full attention.
- Take a break – never drive whilst tired. On long journeys stop for at least a 15 minute break every 2 hours.
- Switch off your phone – there is no conversation or text message that is more important than a life.
- Don’t drink and drive – alcohol impairs your driving. Think carefully if you’re safe to drive the morning after too.
- Anticipate and observe – look once, look twice, think bike. Look out for pedestrians and all other types of road users.
- Look after your car – regularly check oil, water, tyres and lights. It is your responsibility to keep your car roadworthy
More reading on road safety
There’s some great small fleet road safety advice – including some excellent pieces by Paul Ripley – here. Click to read: SME Company Car Advice
