Hermes sees accident rates crash

UK-based Hermes has reduced accident rates across its fleet operation by more than 40%, following the introduction of a range of driver training initiatives designed to cut road deaths and injuries. These safer driving measures have contributed to fleet savings of £1m in the past twelve months and led to the company achieving Business Champion status from the Government-backed Driving for Better Business campaign, managed by Roadsafe.

The Hermes Driving School has been key to achieving the financial savings and health and safety improvements, playing a critical role in ensuring that the company’s 480 employed and 163 agency drivers meet its industry-leading safe driving standards. As a result, there has been a 109% improvement in accident-free days per vehicle; a 47% improvement in the accident rate per vehicle; a 41.8% reduction in the number of recorded accidents; and a 33.5% cut in the cost of incidents.

The reduction in accidents has meant that the number of insurance claims related to vehicle damage has also reduced by 60% and UK insurance premiums dropped by 10% in the last 10 months. Meanwhile, the focus on ‘smarter’ driving has contributed to at least a 4.5% reduction in fuel consumption in the past year. This has resulted in significant cost savings and delivered a positive impact towards reducing Hermes’ carbon footprint.

Carole Woodhead, chief executive of Hermes in the UK, commented: “We are delighted that our concerted focus on at-work driving safety has been recognised by the Driving for Better Business campaign. The catalyst of change has been our Driving School, which has delivered enormous benefits in terms of greater business responsibility and is central to delivering superior customer service, revenue and business growth.”