Organisational culture
must not encourage increased exposure to risks.
As mentioned previously, policies within an organisation must not encourage increased exposure to risks. This is a particularly wide-ranging area, and may include the following areas of concern:
Expenses policies
• difficulties in obtaining approval and claiming for overnight accommodation
• lack of policy on overnight stops
• requirement to make statements about the condition of a vehicle, driving record, or insurance class of use before expenses will be paid
• restricting mileage payments to the shortest distance to the destination
Human Resources policies
• Lack of suitable induction training (within organisation or in relation to specific vehicles)
• Inadequate driver assessment and training
• Driving skills and capabilities inadequately assessed or not taken properly into account during recruitment
• Disciplinary and grievance procedures that do not deal adequately with driving at work issues
• Incomplete driving licence checks (at the time of appointment and ongoing)
Health and Safety Policies
• Lack of written policies
• Inadequate risk assessments of drivers, vehicles and journeys
Workplace Culture
• Schedules that are virtually impossible to meet without speeding or foregoing breaks
• Bonus schemes or commission schemes that encourage long journeys and long working days
• Pressure on under-performing sales people to increase their number of calls (without an adequate risk assessment)
• Lack of attention to journey authorisation and approval process
Vehicle Management
• Incomplete vehicle maintenance and service details
• Inadequate diary reminder (and projected mileage process)
• Lack of proper selection criteria regarding specification for vehicles (taking safety factors into account)



