New guidance for fleets on how to tackle drug- and drink-driving is now available from the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP).
Issued as latest Department of Transport (DfT) data shows increases in both areas, the document gives vital advice on how to clamp down on the trends.
Written by the AFP’s Risk, Compliance and Health Committee, the two-page study covers the need for a drug- and drink-driving policy, what its contents should include, rules for grey fleet drivers, and the importance of recognising that prescription and over the counter drugs, as well as illegal ones, can be an issue behind the wheel. Signposts to useful government links also feature.
Committee chair Martin Evans (pictured) said recent government figures showed it was a grim time for drug- and drink-driving. Latest DfT data reveals the number of vehicle collisions linked to drug-driving have risen by 170% in less than a decade, while drink-driving deaths are at their highest level for 14 years.
“Although anecdotal reports of persistent problems of this kind among company car and van drivers within the AFP are thankfully low, fleets are not immune to these trends, and that’s why we have created the new Drugs and Alcohol Guidance document,” added Evans.
“It is designed to provide a simple and effective route to integrating drug- and drink-driving prevention measures into your fleet policies in a manner that is likely to have results and ensure that employees are left in no doubt about your expectations in this crucial area.”
The guidance is expected to be especially important heading into winter and with Christmas less than a couple of months away.
“Some cold and flu remedies can cause drowsiness and drivers should be made aware of the dangers of taking them before getting behind the wheel. Just because a medication is legal and bought over the counter doesn’t mean that it won’t have an impact on your driving.”
“Also, it’s an important cultural point within your company not to serve alcohol at festive events where employees will be attending in their cars or vans, whether company or grey fleet. It’s as important to set the right tone at Christmas as at other times,” Evans stated.
The AFP Drugs and Alcohol Guidance document is available to the organisation’s members from the members’ area of its resources portal.
