Set up your business vehicles for a safe and productive 2024
Being a responsible employer means making sure your employees are safe either at work and on the road. Run through our list below to help ensure this year is a safe and productive time for your company.
Vehicle inspections
Outside of your annual vehicle service schedule there are additional checks you can perform yourself and more regularly.
- Check all your car tyres – check pressure, tread, and wheel alignment. If you have electric vehicles in your fleet, understand how types will differ in these cars and make sure they're turning smoothly.
- Check windscreen wipers - both for fluid and if the blades need replacing. Replacing the blades is easy and you can follow our 6-step guide, or give NRMA a call for help.
- Check engine oil - park on a level surface and wait for the car to cool. Open the bonnet to locate the dipstick which usually has a brightly coloured handle. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean before reinserting fully. The oil levels should be between the high and low level markings. If low, check the owner’s manual for the right oil to use and refill via the oil filter cap. It’s recommended to refill 250 mils at a time and repeat the dipstick process.
- Check coolant levels by waiting until the engine is cool, lifting the car bonnet, and locating the coolant reservoir. Make sure the coolant level is between minimum and maximum levels marked on the plastic overflow bottle – which usually has a brightly coloured cap. Fill up with coolant if necessary.
Refresh your team on common road rules
New Year is a good time to remind drivers of the road rules, especially those that change at certain times or get updated.
- Refresh your knowledge around school zones in ACT and NSW where the speed limits are 40km/hour during morning and afternoon hours. There’s also seven parking offences in these zones.
- Know the rules about mobile phones and driving, even as a passenger.
A driver must not drive a vehicle that has a television receiver or visual display unit in or on the vehicle operating while the vehicle is moving, or is stationary but not parked, if any part of the image on the screen:
(a) is visible to the driver from the normal driving position, or
(b) is likely to distract another driver.
- Learn some of the lesser-known rules that may apply to your business such as fines for obscured number plates.
Employee driver training
- Driving in different weather conditions: Sometimes we can’t stop work just because of bad weather so it’s likely your employees will be driving rain, hail or shine.
Ensure drivers are aware of how to change their behaviours when driving in the rain and the appropriate times to use headlights, highbeams, and fog lights. - Refresh your employees’ driving skills: To ensure compliance, it’s always a good idea to refresh your knowledge and driving skills, especially for those of us - or our employees - who have spent a long time on the road.
Whether you’ll looking for a skills upgrade or onboarding new employees, NRMA has you covered with driver training that is tailored to your business and experience levels.
Be sure everyone is aware of your company’s driving policy
Formal training and reminder communications (emails, intranet posts) are great ways to ensure everyone is up to date on the rules both legally and set out by your organisation. Make sure your policy is easily accessible and readily available to all.
Think about also posting reminder flyers around the workplace and in fleet vehicles to keep the policy front of mind for your drivers.
