Just over four out of five respondents to the latest Alphabet Fleet Management Report have road risk policies in place. Yet while the majority is sensible in this respect, the research reveals a significant element of risk – quantifying grey fleet mileage – may be slipping under the radar.
Grey fleet is the term for employees using their own cars for business purposes. Worryingly, nearly a third of respondents could not put an accurate figure on how much business mileage took place in employees’ own cars. Moreover, the average estimate given for grey fleet’s share of business mileage was 32% – almost three times greater than the previous estimate. Amid growing awareness of the issues, 44% of respondents wanted to reduce their exposure to grey fleet risks.
Further research published in March 2013 by driver services company Fleet21 unearths some concerning findings. According to its Business Driver Report, 31% of employers fail to check whether grey fleet drivers have appropriate business insurance, and nearly half neglect to find out whether they have valid MOTs. Driver education (20%) and mental attitude assessment (16%) is worryingly low for grey fleet drivers. It is estimated more than 25,000 people are driving illegally for businesses in the UK.
Fleet21 managing director Simon Turner says that, while there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, initiatives need not be costly or timeconsuming. Employers should be checking with the DVLA that employees have valid licences, ensuring they have correct insurance cover and where applicable a valid MOT, and offering training to minimise risk.
