Tool Box Talk
DCT Consultancy - Driving Standards
The following toolbox talk presentation on Driving Standards has been put together by Dave Cox CMILT of DCT Consultancy Ltd to be delivered at regular intervals.
Printable Version
Aim of Toolbox Talk
The aim of this toolbox talk is to communicate this company’s guide to being profes-sional, competent, and safe on the road.
This Toolbox Talk will cover the following topics:
- Driving within the Highway Code
- Vulnerable Road Users
- Best practice of safe driving
Your Responsibilities:
- Drive safely observing speed limits, road signs and road markings
- Know what to do in the event of a collision/break down
- Avoid the use of mobile phone or other in vehicle technology
- Don’t drive when tired or under the influence of medication, drink or drugs
Do's and Don'ts
Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
Drive safely anticipate and adjust to road type, traffic conditions, weather conditions | Do not eat drink or smoke when driving |
Take sufficient breaks in your day | Don’t drive fast, brake harshly or take corners too fast |
Speed Limits
- Speeding is one of the main factors in fatal road collisions.
- Plan your journey to take into account all possible hazards and delays.
- Know the speed limits for your vehicle on A roads, Dual carriageways and Motorways.
Road Type | Speed Limits of Rigid Goods Ve-hicles (not being a car derived van) up to 7.5t gvw and not drawing a trailer in MPH (KPH) | Speed Limits Goods vehicles over 7.5t gvw in MPH (KPH) |
|---|---|---|
Built up areas | 30 (48) | 30 (48) |
Single carriageway | 50 (80) | 50 (80) |
Dual carriageway | 60 (97) | 60 (97) |
Motorway | 70 (110) | 60 (97) |
Seat Belts
- Always wear a seatbelt as it may save your life
- Encourage your passenger to do the same
- Non wearing of a seat belt incurs a fine and the driver will get a fine as well as the
passenger who wasn’t wearing one
Smoking, eating and drinking in company vehicle
- Smoking is forbidden in a company vehicle
- A vehicle should have the following signs displayed in them:
- Although it is not illegal to eat whilst driving, Police can prosecute if they believe you are not in control of the vehicle
- It also doesn’t give a good impression of a professional driver
- A vehicle cab should also be kept clean and tidy all debris removed and no items blocking a drivers view
- Ensure adequate storage of items such as weatherproof clothing and safety equipment
- If the driver was implicated due to a traffic accident, emergency services would not be happy to find a body unconscious among clothes and all manner of rubbish.
- If you do eat or drink in the company vehicle, make sure you do so whilst the vehicle is stationary, and then ensure that any packaging/rubbish is removed from the vehicle next time you stop.
- The Company will consider disciplinary action if a vehicle cab is not in a clean condition.
Vulnerable Road Users
Breaks
- Take sufficient breaks
- Make sure you rested well before you started your shift – If you are too tired, then don’t drive
- 40% of sleep-related accidents involve commercial vehicles
- Take breaks in line with the EU Drivers hours or more importantly make sure you take a good break within 6 hours to cover working time break requirements a good 30 minutes is ideal
Alcohol & Drugs
- There are strict penalties for drink/driving or being under the influence of a drug
- If you are convicted, you can expect a sentence of 12-month driving ban, a hefty fine and potentially a 6-month prison sentence
- A criminal record is an endorsement that remains on the licence for 11 years
- If as a driver you are on any medication that can affect your driving, the DVLA need to be informed and most importantly the Company need to be aware. You need to sign the Driver declaration to alert the company of any changes in circumstances, driving offences and medication taken.
Good Driving
- Avoid sudden harsh braking keep looking ahead not just at the vehicle in front but 15-seconds.
- Anticipate and adjust to road and traffic conditions
- Keep your distance and watch your speed
- Smooth acceleration and also smooth braking
- The benefits are that you have reduced fuel costs, have less chance of receiving a fine or a ban
- Insurance premiums are minimal as there are few collisions
- You become a professional and competent driver
Finally:
Use the defensive driving technique whose acronym is C.O.A.S.T:
Road Type | Speed Limits of Rigid Goods Ve-hicles (not being a car derived van) up to 7.5t gvw and not drawing a trailer in MPH (KPH) |
|---|---|
Concentration | Concentrating is imperative – you shouldn’t be doing anything other than driving |
Observation | Observe your surroundings, the vehicles, their drivers and pedestrians and other vulnerable road users nearby. |
Anticipation | Anticipate: Guess or be aware of what might happen in front of you and take action in order to be prepared, this to prevent evasive or erratic actions. |
Space | Space is all about keeping a safe distance behind the car in front according to the road conditions. ‘Only a fool breaks the two second rule.’ |
Time | Time simply means leaving lots of time to complete your journey, so you don’t rush and increase the chances of having an accident. |