Malcolm Bailey

“Drivers must be given the best opportunity to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently, and yet be as safe as possible”

There are 40% more fleet car and van crashes each year than incidents involving private motorists, therefore the need for advanced driver training for businesses in this day and age is huge. DIAmond Advanced Motorists operate the DIAmond Advanced and Special Test, which is one of four principle advanced tests currently available in the UK carrying the DSA’s approval.

The test has been designed to further the driving skills and attitude of drivers and help boost their confidence on the road. This, in turn, leads to reduced frequency and costs of accidents which results in lower insurance premiums, reduced vehicle running costs with lower fuel consumption and wear and tear, and reduced time lost through absenteeism brought about by stress and other driving-related problems.

Even the most competent company driver could benefit from the test with today’s roads more of a challenge than ever and driving standards variable, to say the least. Malcolm Bailey, BA (Driver Education), heads Pelican Fleet Training and Pelican Driving Instructor Training. The company, based in South Yorkshire, helps businesses to further train their staff and offers a range of advanced driver training courses, including the DIAmond Advanced Motorist Test and the DIAmond Special Test.

Mr Bailey is a grade six driving instructor and holder of the Diploma in Driving Instruction and the Cardington Special Driving Test, Grade A. He has passed all the advanced driving tests available and is now an advanced driving examiner for the DIAmond driving tests. He says: “Businesses are responsible for their drivers’ health and safety and need to ensure that drivers are trained to a high enough standard for the amount and type of driving required of them.

“My companies support the DIAmond Advanced Motorist Test as, for us, it is important to have a uniform system of recording faults. “The marking system has been derived from the well-established system used by DSA driving examiners. The DIAmond Special test is also popular with us as it is a much higher standard than any other advanced driving test.”

The DIAmond Advanced and Special Motorist tests assess better driving techniques that can help drivers lessen their stress on the roads as they concentrate on reading the road and reacting to hazards in a planned and systematic way.

The advanced test allows a maximum of six minor faults in an hour’s driving over a wide variety of road types and conditions, whereas the special test is an even higher standard only allowing two minor non-recurring faults. Mr Bailey says: “Driving is a practical activity that takes place in a dangerous environment. Over 3,200 people are killed on our roads every year and 10 times this figure are seriously injured.

“With a third being occupational drivers, the statistics speak for themselves. Solutions have to work as lives are at stake and drivers must be given the best opportunity to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently, and yet be as safe as possible.

“Companies have a moral obligation to do everything possible to ensure the safety of their occupational drivers. Periodic driver assessment and training is not a luxury for companies to undertake when they can find the time and resources, it is a necessity. By increasing awareness and improving driver behaviour it is possible for businesses to significantly reduce risk.”

For further information on DIAmond advanced and special tests go to: Website: www.driving.org

For more information on Pelican, contact Malcolm Bailey on: Tel: 01226 742950