Groundbreaking Driver Care Protects Businesses

Rivervale pioneers new app to give company directors complete peace of mind. Have you questioned if your drivers are fit to be on the road? 

There is some breaking news in the motoring industry – all thanks to Sussex-based Rivervale Cars Ltd. Together with a leading Fleet Management Software Company, it has developed the ‘Driver Care’ app that guarantees both drivers and vehicles are fit to be on the road.

Importantly, the app ensures business directors are meeting their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It is designed to reduce liabilities and risks by closing gaps in driver and vehicle checks.

We talked to Vince Pemberton, Chief Operations Officer at Rivervale, to find out more.

Who can Driver Care help?

Driver Care has two sub-sections – ‘Fit 2 Drive’, which is for businesses, and coming soon ‘Drive for You’, aimed at private vehicle drivers.

Fit 2 Drive can help any business with company vehicles and even those who pay a vehicle allowance. It is a fully comprehensive software solution that makes it easier to manage day to day risks and problems.

Can you give us an example of how it works?

Yes. For example, an electrical contractor may have 45 vans with drivers who start work from home. They may rarely go into the office and may even end their day back at home. Fit 2 Drive prompts the driver to make the checks that businesses can’t physically carry out remotely.

Each day, the driver will be asked questions that will ensure they are fit to drive before they start the van. If you are a director of a business, this is important because if you are not taking the necessary steps to ensure your staff are fit to do their job it could come back on you and / or your business.

With Fit 2 Drive, a driver has to log into the app and go through a tick box series of questions. For example, they will be asked to agree that they have not consumed alcohol in the last 12 hours and that they have not consumed drugs or medication that could impact their driving. The app also checks that they have the correct driving licence entitlements to drive a particular type of vehicle.

Other checks include asking the driver to agree they have not been involved in a road traffic collision in the past 24 hours. This is important because it checks on the welfare of the driver and their ability to drive safely on the road. The app will also check for traffic violations.

If a driver disagrees with a question, their line manager will be alerted. They will be told not to drive the vehicle until they have spoken to their manager. At the same time, the app alerts us at Rivervale and we can pick up the baton and ensure a client’s interests are looked after.

In the future, we aim to add telematcis – so a vehicle cannot physically start following a negative response to a question.

How do you check a driver is ‘legal’?

Our Fit 2 Drive app is integrated with the DVLA, allowing us to carry out checks. We operate a traffic light system, so if a driver is disqualified and hasn’t told their employer, or has points on their licence we get a red alert. We also check to ensure a driver is licensed to be behind the wheel of a certain vehicle.

We also carry out checks to ensure those who receive a company vehicle allowance are insured and have the correct insurance.

What about the vehicles? How does the app look after them?

Driver Care is designed to ensure a vehicle is checked daily and in more depth weekly. The app directs drivers to carry out simple daily checks, such as on windscreen wipers, lights and tyres. A more in-depth check, which includes mileage, is carried out weekly. This is all about pro-active servicing, which is really important.

I am aware of a case where a company’s best engineer continued to drive with the engine light on. This resulted in the engine blowing up – something that cost his employer £8,000. You don’t know when something like that could happen, a driver could be in the outside lane on a motorway!

Driver Care ensures businesses keep on top of servicing, again reducing liabilities.

What if a driver has a problem?

Driver Care is there for drivers 24/7. If they need advice, they only need to press a button on the app. Our call handlers will know who they are and can help whatever situation they are in. It could be something like checking what paperwork is needed for a drive to Europe and having the right equipment in the car, such as safety equipment and a breathalyser.

We have got everything covered. In the event of an accident, for example, Driver Care ensures all the correct information is processed and that nothing is missed. You can even take images and upload them to the app.

Why Driver Care Fit 2 Drive is important

Any business that has company vehicles has a legal obligation to ensure they and their drivers are fit to be on the roads. Breaches can lead to hefty penalties and even come back on directors personally. The checks currently not being carried out as routine leave massive gaps that are putting businesses and their directors at risk, not to mention the drivers and other motorists.

Find out more about Driver Care Fit 2 Drive at:

vince@rivervale.co.uk

Telephone: 01273 433480

Website: www.rivervaleleasing.co.uk