GUIDANCE FOR DRIVERS ON UNIVERSITY BUSINESS

Introduction

Each year in the UK, over 1000 road deaths and serious injuries involve someone driving whilst at work and around a third of all crashes are estimated to involve someone who was at work at the time.

There are many factors that lead to road crashes – speeding, drink and drug driving and driver distraction are some of them but so are driving whilst tired, too fast for the road or weather conditions or simply driver inexperience.

If you are driving with passengers you are responsible for their safety. Don’t let them distract you.

The following guidance has been compiled for drivers driving on University business whether in a hire car or their own vehicle. However, it is just as relevant for personal driving.

Guidance marked with the “” symbol indicates additional advice that should be followed during the winter months.

Before you drive

Ø  When driving your own vehicle you must ensure that your insurance is valid for business use, you have a valid UK Driving Licence, the vehicle is taxed and if the vehicle is more than 3 years old it has a valid MOT.

Ø  Get in to the habit of taking a quick look around your car before you drive – look for punctures or any fluids underneath the car

Ø  Ensure that you switch off your mobile phone or set it to hands free

Ø  Make sure that your wiper blades aren’t worn or damaged

  • Ensure that your windows, lights and number plates are clean
  • Remove any snow from the vehicle which would impair your view or cause problems for other road users

When driving

Follow the Highway Code, ensuring that you follow all its requirements, particularly the following:

Ø  Don’t speed – it really isn’t worth you being fined and getting points on your license and it’s better to arrive late than not to arrive at all!

Ø  Wear a seat belt at all times and ensure your passengers are also wearing theirs

Ø  Don’t get involved in road rage

Ø  Don’t drive if you have consumed drink or drugs that can affect your ability to drive safely

Ø  Park in secure locations

  • Used dipped headlights when driving in poor weather conditions. When driving in foggy conditions with visibility of less that 100m switch on your fog lights. Switch your fog lights off as soon as conditions improve, so that you don’t dazzle other drivers
  • If your tyres are making virtually no noise this could be a sign that you’re driving on ice, slow down and avoid sudden actions
  • When driving on slippery roads due to wet weather, snow or ice you should drive at a slow speed in as high a gear as possible, accelerating and braking very gently. When driving on slippery roads your stopping distance can be at least double that on a dry road
  • If your vehicle skids, depress the clutch and turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid and when the vehicle straightens steer along the road, do not brake as this will just lock up your wheels and you’ll skid further
  • When driving in cold or snowy conditions look out for vehicles spreading salt and also for snow ploughs. An amber flashing light on these vehicles indicates that they are spreading salt or clearing snow. If you are following these vehicles only overtake them if it is safe to do so and keep well back to prevent salt being thrown onto your vehicle
  • When driving in windy conditions there is a danger of vehicles being blown off course by strong crosswinds on open stretches of road, with high-sided vehicles particularly affected in strong winds

In car checklist

Be prepared; have as a minimum, the following available:

Ø  A charged mobile phone (ideally with a camera for use at the scene of an accident)

Ø  Breakdown recovery contact details

Ø  A notebook and pencil

Ø  Driving license details

Ø  Insurance details

  • Ice scraper and de-icer
  • Map
  • Torch
  • Warm clothing and a blanket
  • A pair of boots
  • A shovel
  • A pair of sunglasses to protect you from the glare of the low winter sun
  • Food and a warm drink in a flask

Car maintenance of your own vehicle

Ø  Regularly check your tyre pressures, oil level, coolant level, windscreen washer, lights and horn

Ø  Ensure that your vehicle is regularly serviced, properly maintained and has a valid MOT if required

Ø  Replace the battery if it does not hold its charge and ensure the charging system is working correctly

Additional Information

The latest information on the condition of England’s motorways and trunk roads can be found at http://www.highways.gov.uk/ or by calling the Highways Agency Information Line on 0843 178 4340.

Document Title: Guidance for drivers on University Business
Last Review Date / 3rd May 2018 / Author / S Westcough
Next Review Date / 3rd May 2019 / Author Role Title / Health and Safety Adviser

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