RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
May 9 , 2006
NEW ADVANCED TEST SETS BENCHMARK FOR BUSINESS DRIVERS
The first advanced driving test designed purely for business drivers was launched today by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and DriveTech (UK) Limited in an effort to cut deaths and injuries on Britain’s roads.
ROADTest is specifically aimed at slashing crashes involving people who drive as part of their job – particularly company car and van drivers, who have accident rates 35 to 50 per cent higher than private drivers.
Between 800 and 1,000 deaths in Britain each year are linked to people being on the road for work purposes, making it the country’s biggest occupational health and safety problem. Those covering 25,000 miles a year are as likely to be killed as people in widely-recognised high-risk jobs such as construction and quarrying.
Advanced drivers have been shown to be around 25 per cent less likely to be involved in a crash, and that is why RoSPA and driver training company DriveTech (UK) joined forces to develop a test to promote higher safety standards in the fleet industry.
ROADTest - the RoSPA Occupational Advanced Driving Test - will set the benchmark for “at work” driving. It is the first training programme to offer a recognised qualification that acknowledges the reality of driving for work purposes.
As well as demonstrating outstanding driving skills, candidates will have to prove their knowledge of key occupational road risk issues such as journey plans, safe speeds, fatigue, drink and drugs, mobile phone use and storing equipment.
Charles Davis, RoSPA Head of Driver and Fleet Solutions, said: “This test is set to become the national standard for business drivers. It has been developed with input from RoSPA and DriveTech (UK) customers to provide a hazard perception assessment together with a theory and practical test leading to a qualification that will be recognised and respected by anyone who employs company drivers.”
Andy Wheeler, Director of Training at DriveTech (UK), said: “A specific test has long been needed for business drivers because of the high mileages they cover and the pressures they face to meet deadlines when out on the road. Companies who ask their drivers to take the test will benefit from having a safer and more efficient fleet.”
The test can be taken through either RoSPA or DriveTech (UK) and has three pass grades – gold, silver and bronze. A pass is valid for three years. The amount of tuition needed will depend on the candidate’s existing standard of driving and previous training experience. A typical driver could expect to take three days of training, but as ROADTest is a modular programme, it can be completed in anywhere between three months and three years, depending on business needs, work commitments and practice time needed.
The launch was held today at Safety & Health Expo 2006, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.
For more information see: www.roadtest.org.uk
RoSPA can be contacted at fleetsolutions@rospa.com, telephone 0121 248 2105 or via its website at www.rospa.com/drivertraining
DriveTech (UK) can be contacted at enquiries@drivetech.co.uk, telephone 01344 467881 or via its website at www.drivetech.co.uk
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RoSPA is a registered charity: Registered Charity No: 207823 Patron: Her Majesty the Queen RoSPA Head Office: Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7ST, UK |
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