• B30 Bio-diesel warning

• GETTING TO THE POINTS

• Pre-Budget Report Comment
• BUMPER CARS
• I LIKE DRIVING IN MY CAR… (ON MY OWN)
• HARD DAYS LIGHT
• ANIMAL TRAGIC
• FUEL’S GOLD
• SEEING ‘RED’ OVER HIGH FUEL COSTS
• DRIVING “CONDITIONS”
• MANY HAPPY RETURNS?
• KICKING THE CO2 HABIT
• ‘GREEN’ FINGERS
• FROM AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TO GROUND TRAFFIC CONTROL
• CULTURE SHOCK
• DON’T DRIVE DROWSY
• ‘FOLLOW THAT STAR!’
• PULLING POWER
• The Darling Budget of March - 08
• Courtesy Cars - March 08
• Green Survey - Feb 08
• New congestion charge angers industry - Feb 08
• Midlands Excellence Award win - Jan 2008

GETTING TO THE POINTS

A Masterlease survey of more than 8000 fleet drivers’ licences has forensically revealed for the first time the extent of high penalty points, foreign endorsements, disqualifications and even those driving for business on provisional licences. 

The sample of nearly 8,500 licences analysed by Masterlease showed that the majority (7,939) of penalty points were issued to drivers with less than four points and typically related to SP30 offences, those exceeding the statutory speed limit on a public road. There were also higher than expected (368) occurrences of SP50s – those caught speeding above 70 mph on the motorway and (204) traffic and direction offences where drivers have been caught contravening road signs.

Licence checking has become a hot topic in many larger businesses because of the increasing risk regulations and the introduction of Corporate Manslaughter laws that would see employers prosecuted in the instance of a fatal accident.

Masterlease was one of the first fleet management companies to introduce the service with a view to assist companies in their prevention of accidents and the identification of rogue drivers and risk trends.

The checks have also identified ‘notifications’ – those instances beyond the points system where drivers have been disqualified or even driving on provisional licences. Almost 30 per cent of ‘notifications’ fell into this latter category, while 15 per cent had previously been banned from driving. Ten per cent were foreign drivers who had incurred British penalty points, while 41 per cent were ‘revoked’ licences – those withdrawn from the driver for reasons including failure to surrender a licence for points to be added or on medical grounds.

“This is an extremely clever and forensic tool that can drill down into a lot of risk detail with a positive view to assist companies,” says Gavin Jones, risk management manager for Masterlease.

“If it is an overseas driver we can put them on a UK familiarisation driving course which covers the key differences of driving in the UK. If speeding is an issue for other drivers we can assist with tailored speed-related training programmes,” he adds.

Masterlease has access to the DVLA database of convictions incurred in the UK by overseas drivers so companies can make sure that drivers are legally entitled to be on the road.

“Companies need to be aware that all drivers using company vehicles or their own cars for business have passed a test and are entitled to drive that vehicle on the road, whether it be a manual car, van of HGV. This validation service allows businesses to be sure and safe and aware or their corporate responsibilities at all times,” adds Jones.

Ends