COMPANY/EMPLOYEE DRIVING ASSESSMENT & Coaching PROGRAMME

Vehicles are essential equipment for most organisations and few companies or public sector organisations could function without them. But while vehicles are an indispensable element of today's economy, their use carries a risk of crashing, injury and even death. Insurance council of New Zealand data estimates that during 2008 New Zealand businesses claimed approximately $400 million in insurance owing to commercial vehicle crashes (ACC safe driving policy). This risk can be significantly reduced by the introduction of a simple driver assessment & training programme. 

The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 replaced the Health and Safety Act 1992. The new 'worksafe' Act is aimed at reducing New Zealand’s workplace injury and death toll by 25 per cent by 2020. Employers need to know this also means...

  • It shifts from hazard spotting to managing critical risks – actions that reduce workplace harm rather than trivial hazards
  • It introduces the “reasonably practicable” concept – focusing attention on what’s reasonable for a business to do

It places an even stronger obligation on employers and organisations to protect their staff against hazards in the work place, which includes driving company vehicles. Under the Act, if the employer cannot eliminate or isolate a workplace hazard, they must give their staff training to avoid that hazard. Increasingly, employers are deciding that since hazards on the road cannot be eliminated, they must ensure their staff are well equipped to reduce or avoid those hazards. The new HSW  Act and employer obligations can be looked at on the Worksafe NZ website

Every organisation can benefit from refreshing and updating the working skills of its staff. Driving skills are no exception and driver training will benefit both individual staff and your organisation as a whole. Training is particularly important for professional drivers and staff who transport customers. Also staff who are driving a company or pool vehicle, inexperienced drivers, staff who have recently been involved in crashes, those who drive their own vehicle to work, voluntary workers and contractors.

Companies should implement clear road safety policies and make driver assessment standard procedure, so that individual staff don't feel singled out. NZIDE (New Zealand Institute of Driver Educators) believe there are other good reasons listed in the benefits (below) as to why businesses should consider a Driver Education Programme as part of their vehicle fleet management plan.

PURPOSE

  • To give your valued staff an assessment of their driving
  • To make them aware of any driving faults or habits they have developed over time.
  • To provide training to rectify any potentially dangerous driving faults or behaviours

BENEFITS

  • Improved driving - means less crashes, less likelyhood of employee demerit points, less Insurance, fewer ACC claims - lower premiums
  • Less vehicle abuse - means less break downs, lower vehicle running costs, less inconvenience to you and your customers.
  • Higher business profile - the general public observe good driving behaviour exhibited by your staff
  • Improved staff employer relations - staff appreciate investment in their skills and safety

ADVANCED DRIVING ASSESSMENT & COACHING

As approved driving assessors, Rach, Dan or Chris will conduct the driving assessments/coaching at the appointed time, place and date as pre-arranged. Please allow 60 minutes per person. The assessment drive is done in your company vehicle through as many traffic situations as possible which will include busy town, urban and suburban driving conditions. During the assessment the driver is observed and a record is kept of how they interact in various traffic situations for later analysis. Some training/coaching will be provided for minor issues during the session and a hazard detection commentary will be included. At the conclusion of the assessment the driving assessor will identify and discuss the faults & training needs with the driver. A written report containing the details of the assessment and recommendations for further training (if required) will be issued usually within 48 hours. A certificate will be issued to each staff member that passes the assessment - $150+gst.

An extended 75 minute option is available whereby the assessment can also include open road, semi-rural, rural or mountain road conditions - $170+gst.

 

REMEDIAL TRAINING

Arrangements for any necessary extra training will be made with prior consultation with the employer. Some drivers may require additional training to remedy long-held bad habits and improve driving skills in specific areas of their driving. Training is conducted in 45 minute blocks as required. After any recommended training the driver will them be booked in to be re-assessed and upon successful completion a certificate will then be issued recognising the staff member has passed the assessment. This assessment system is approved and supported by NZTA and the assessor conducting the assessment has also been NZTA approved - $80 inc gst.

 

CANCELLATION POLICY

A minimum 48 hours notice is required if staff can't attend the assessment. If less than 48 hours notice for cancellation or postponement is given, payment will be required.

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OTHER DRIVING LESSONS AVAILABLE:

  • Beginner lessons to assist learner drivers towards restricted licence test
  • Lessons for restricted licence drivers before their full licence test
  • Driving assessments prior to restricted and full licence tests
  • Advanced Driving Competency Assessments
  • Advanced lessons including: Rural driving, reverse parallel parking, winter driving including snow/ice driving and snow chain training
  • On road safety assessments for elderly drivers who require assessment for medical reasons
  • Assessments for rental car companies wishing to have a hirers driving ability assessed before hire commences, after receiving driving complaints or after collision
  • Familiarisation training for overseas tourists wishing to hire a car and drive on the left side of the road.
  • Reverse parallel parking