An introduction to Minibus and People Carrier Driver Training Presented by David Bradley Senior Driver Training Supervisor
Vehicles Are Essential To The County Council s Operation They include: Delivery vans Minibuses Road maintenance vehicles Library vehicles Lease cars Pool cars Employee s own cars
Occupational Road Risk Legal Responsibilities The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires the Employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the Health and Safety of all employees while at work. We also have a responsibility to ensure that service users and the public are not put at risk by our work related driving activities.
Important Documents Policy on the Safe Use of Motor Vehicles on County Council Business Guidelines for Minibus and People Carrier Operation DVLA Driving a minibus (INF28) DVLA Information on Driving licences (INS57P)
Corporate Manslaughter The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 is a landmark in law. For the first time, companies and organisations can be found guilty of corporate manslaughter as a result of serious management failures resulting in a gross breach of a duty of care. The Act, effective from 6 April 2008, clarifies the criminal liabilities of companies including large organisations where serious failures in the management of health and safety result in a fatality.
If the Police investigate and find that a manager or director has not followed the ESCC Policy for Safe Use of Motor Vehicles on County Council Business or Minibus Guidelines and has: Not bothered to follow the systems in place. Not checked and recorded their staff s driving licences, category and insurance where driving is part of their work. Not carried out a risk assessment for staff who drive. Not ensured that staff have been trained and assessed. Given unrealistic work schedules without breaks. Allowed drivers to break the rules. Allowed staff to use a mobile phone (hands free or hand held) while driving. There is a risk of prosecution (Health and Safety at Work).
New Road Traffic Offence The Government has also introduced a new offence for Causing death by careless driving which carries a maximum five year prison sentence. A driver involved in a fatal crash caused by careless driving and found to be making a mobile phone call could be prosecuted for this offence (Hands free or hand held). If the mobile phone call is found to be a business call then the employer could also be prosecuted.
The County Council s policy with regard to the use of mobile phones whilst driving remains that: (a) No driver must operate, or be required to operate, a handheld or hands-free mobile phone whilst driving a vehicle on County Council business. (An escort can operate a mobile phone). (b) A mobile phone must be switched off, or diverted to message service. The driver must find a safe place to park with the engine switched off before personally making a call, or checking for messages.
Licensing and Insurance The legal requirements are that any person who is aged 21 or over, and obtained a car licence prior to 1st January 1997, may drive a minibus as defined above, provided the vehicle is not being operated for hire or reward. Anyone who passed a car driving test after 1 January 1997 will be licensed to drive category B (Car or MPV) vehicles only, which will cover vehicles up to 3500kg with not more than 8 passengers. An additional test and medical report are required to gain a Dl licence which covers minibuses. Drivers who passed the test before 1 January 1997 will be automatically granted the right to drive Minibus Category Dl vehicles (not for hire or reward) and will not need to take the new test. East Sussex drivers must also be authorised by their manager to drive a minibus. See Section 3.13 for further information relating to driving convictions. To drive a minibus in mainland Europe for hire or reward the driver must have a PCV Dl category licence.
ESCC Minibus Driver Requirements To drive a minibus insured by East Sussex County Council drivers must: be aged between 25 years and under 65 years (Drivers over 65 must have an annual DVLA PCV Medical Report Form D4 completed and signed by their GP and be assessed driving a minibus by an ESCC and DSA PCV Approved Driving Instructor) Passed the driving test before 1st January 1997 with D1 entitlement held a full driving licence for at least 3 years. without a fault claim or conviction. All ESCC drivers who passed their test after the 1st January 1997 are required to take the DSA Minibus PCV Test This minimum age is reduced to 23 for teachers appointed to teach physical education. East Sussex drivers must be authorised by their headteacher or manager to drive a minibus.
Minibus Guidelines Introduced in 1995 Are risk control measures effective? Year Education Minibus Drivers Trained Number of Motor Claims Costs 1995 476 60 19,745 1996 1255 47 12,587 1997 1,032 31 8,741
ESCC Minibus Driver Training Module 1 - Risk Management Theory Identify hazards and risks involved in minibus transport Understand the causes of violations and crashes Carry out journey planning and risk assessments. Develop hazard perception and accident avoidance skills Reduce the risk of an incident or crash Module 2 - On Road Assessment/Training Health declaration & Opticians D1 Eyesight test completed before booking Vehicle checks Emergency stop, Reversing, Parking Smooth & Safe standard of driving Repeated every 3 years
Booking Minibus Driver Training Module 1 - Risk Management Workshop Planned to be available on line, at present to obtain booking form email minibustraining@eastsussex.gov.uk Module 2 - On Road Assessment/Training Planned to be available on line, at present phone trainer direct. To obtain trainers number email minibustraining@eastsussex.gov.uk
Minibus and People Carrier Driver Training Thank you Any Questions? Road Safety Team East Sussex County Council Tel: 01273 482293