Fleet experts learn hard truths about the bottom line impact of crashes

Transport industry fleet managers were gathered together recently by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart to learn more about the true costs of business-related road crashes – and were shocked to discover the impact these collisions could have on their profits.

Representatives from blue-chip companies including Cannon Hygiene and Pest Control, Belron UK and the National Service for Health Improvement (NHSI), attended the second gathering of the Business Customer Advisory Group (BCAG), hosted by IAM RoadSmart. 

In 2013, 1,731 people lost their lives in Great Britain (reference 1) in road traffic crashes with one-third of all crashes involving people on a business-related journey (reference 2). Managers at the gathering felt that businesses are unaware of just how expensive a crash can be – and the ‘ripple’ effect of how that cost keeps increasing.

To appreciate just how expensive to a business those ripples can be, the group which meets regularly to identify issues and debate solutions, was addressed by a leading road risk management specialist who lifted the lid on the real bottom line costs of a business-related crash, which include lost productivity, late deliveries, brand damage and high staff turnover.

Lesley Upham, IAM RoadSmart commercial director, said: “The true cost of a crash was a revelation to everyone at the meeting. A crash is not just about vehicle damage – it can affect company reputation and at worst result in a fatality and a corporate manslaughter fine.

“The impact on profits is far greater than many businesses might imagine. As the roads get more crowded and the pressures on employees increase, the commercial sector knows it cannot afford to bury its head in the sand and is looking for targeted, preventative intercessions.”

To support this requirement and building on its new business portfolio “Driving for Work” IAM RoadSmart used the BCAG meeting to preview a new range of driver safety course modules including motorway driving and vehicle management.

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Reference 1: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/annual-road-fatalities

Reference 2: http://www.drivingforbetterbusiness.com/why.aspx

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IAM RoadSmart has a mission to make better drivers and riders in order to improve road safety, inspire confidence and make driving and riding enjoyable. It does this through a range of courses for all road users, from online assessments through to the advanced driving and riding tests. IAM RoadSmart is the trading name of all businesses operated by the UK’s largest road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and was formed in April 2016 combining the IAM, IAM Drive & Survive, PDS and IAM Driver Retraining Academy. The organisation has 92,000 members and campaigns on road safety on their behalf. At any one time there are over 7,000 drivers and riders actively engaged with IAM RoadSmart’s courses, from members of the public to company drivers, while our Driver Retraining Academy has helped 2,500 drivers to shorten their bans through education and support programmes.

To find out more about IAM RoadSmart products and services visit the new website www.iamroadsmart.com

To find out the name of your own local IAM RoadSmart group please visit: https://wwwiamroadsmart.com/local-groups  

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