Essex County Council has achieved business champion status from the Government’s Driving for Better Business Campaign after implementing a “comprehensive occupational road risk management strategy coupled with a targeted drive to reduce vehicle use”.
The Chelmsford-based council runs a fleet of 855 vehicles and has around 7000 grey fleet cars, although it encourages employees to use public transport and teleconferencing where more practical and cost-effective.
The organisation is also working with local businesses to help them manage occupational road risk. This includes offering solutions aimed at policy makers, fleet managers and directors such as Driving for Better Business seminars, HGV and PSV operator seminars, business day events aimed at drivers at company premises and workshops on individual work-related road safety topics.
County councillor Norman Hume, cabinet member for highways and transportation said: “Essex County Council realises that it needs to be proactive when managing the occupational road risk for employees. When a specific risk is identified, the county will run training or group talks/sessions for those who are targeted by the specific risk. Once the risk has been reduced for this target group then the information will be disseminated to all employees.
“Managing work-related road safety to its full extent is a mammoth task, which in an ever-changing environment takes time, commitment and implementing quick wins, in addition to long-term goals to continue reducing the risks.”
