Agency for driving standards plans to assess risks to staff in work related driving
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is planning to use risk profiling software to assess any dangers to staff who drive as part of their jobs.
The agency, which sets the standards for driving in the UK, is making steps towards practising what it preaches with the publication of a tender document for an appropriate tool, saying it wishes to build a comprehensive picture of driving at work.
A spokesperson for the DVSA said it is following the lead of businesses that already use risk profiling as part of its efforts to improve work related road safety, and wants to assess its staff under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
It is planning to start using the tool by the end of this year.
Road knowledge
Among the features expected of the software are that it will be able to monitor the driver’s knowledge of the Highway Code, skills and behaviour on the road. This should give the DVSA a start in educating staff on safe and environmentally friendly driving habits.
It should also provide an overview of factors that could affect the level of risk, such as driving time and mileage covered, and the ability to analyse vehicle usage with the aim of reducing carbon emissions.
Other desired features are the ability to analyse the risk for individual drivers and to provide summary information for management.
The spokesperson said there are no plans to use the tool for monitoring the driving behaviour of businesses or the public.
Picture by Vernon Chan, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia
