iHASCO’s newly updated Driver Awareness course shows there is a 1 in 8000 chance of suffering a fatal accident while driving. The online workplace training provider has created this course to help employers comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act and effectively manage the risks associated with driving for business. 

Paired with creating risk assessments and driving at work policies, online awareness training can help employees become safer drivers. It’s a well known fact that investing in driver awareness training helps to reduce costly accidents, helping keep a company’s good reputation intact, as well as protecting other road users.

The updated 25 minute course is geared towards the driver themselves and provides an awareness of safe driving, dealing with unexpected situations when out on the road, and offers a useful 6 point “safe car” check to quickly run through before a journey. 

“Driving is a part of everyday life for so many of us and it’s so easy to forget the dangers when we drive along our familiar routes on autopilot,” says Lottie Galvin, Studio Manager at iHASCO. “This short course offers a refreshing take on the simple strategies we can all use to drive safely, and it dispels a few common myths that many of us still hold onto!”

Being a safe driver comes down to more than just experience. It is about avoiding complacency and remaining vigilant to the dangers of driving. Driver Awareness training is suitable for any staff member who holds a licence, regardless of how frequently they drive for work. 

While employer obligations surrounding driving for work doesn’t include those who commute, this course is still highly relevant to those who drive to and from work, and could help prevent road accidents and injuries which may result in employees needing time off.

“A huge number of employees have been working from home for a long while but are now starting to commute again or drive for work purposes, which makes this the perfect time to complete this course,” says Galvin. “It’s important to remember that this course will improve people’s confidence too, if they are hesitant about being back out on the road frequently again.” 

The IOSH approved course, takes you through the considerations of being a safe driver, including the following and more:

• Avoiding alcohol when driving.
• The dangers of common distractions including mobile phones and satellite navigation units.
• Dealing with tailgaters.
• The importance of seatbelts.
• A simple and effective six-point car check.

The risks associated with driving should be taken very seriously by employers and employees. Over a third of people who drive for work admit to using their phones while driving, and distractions like these can have catastrophic consequences. 

This can be avoided by ensuring employees know that they are not expected to be readily available when they are driving, and incorporating rules around mobile phones into Driving For Work policies. Awareness training will help bring attention to these crucial points and develop a strong driving safety culture within the organisation. Afterall, driving may be one of the most common daily activities for us, but it’s also one of the most dangerous! 

Visit the iHASCO website to find out more about their online Driver Awareness course or request instant access to trial the course at www.ihasco.co.uk/try.