Safer Driving
With so many accidents on the road, it's a wonder we ever get anywhere! You cannot go more than 30 minutes without hearing on the radio that someone has had a 'moment'. The National Statistics website offers a stark view into how many accidents have taken place on Britain's roads since 1981. Although travel is safer now than it has ever been, with an increase in road users gunning for the same bit of tarmac there are bound to be problems.
There are some organisations that are trying to address this problem. Brake, Think! and RoSPA are all trying to do their bit to raise awareness and seem to be making progress. However, as a PSV driver you can never have too much safety awareness, so it is our recommendation that you join ROSCO. Not to be confused with RoSPA who can "change our package to suit passenger services from LGV and HGV" according to the email I received but in our opinion that is just not good enough. In fact, it is far from good enough! ROSCO have tailored plans to help PSV's everywhere. They are for us and with us.
Who are they?
Never heard of them? I bet you have. If you drive for one of the larger companies you'll have seen the posters promoting various aspects of safer driving, you are entered in the annual Safe Driving Awards scheme. ROSCO is the Road Operators' Safety Council, the bus and coach industry's own safety organisation, governed by a Council comprising TU representatives and managers from various sectors of the industry. It is a not-for-profit organisation with (considering how much it has done in the past and how much it achieves) a modest office in Oxford. Yvonne and Tony work part time to bring you the most up to date information that can make the difference in your driving skills. They see all drivers that walk though their doors or sign up to the scheme as professionals, all they want to do is help you remember that!From their website
Inaugurated in 1955, the aims and objectives of the Road Operators’ Safety Council (ROSCO) were and still are: to promote among owners and operators of road transport vehicles and their employees, measures to prevent accidents and encourage safety on the road to promote, organise, encourage and support schemes and competitions, under which awards may be made to employees of the owners or operators of road transport vehicles, for freedom from accidents and for safe drivingto encourage and support associations or corporate bodies, representing owners, operators and employees with regard to all matters relating to road safety and freedom from accidents to encourage and support research and experiments into accident prevention to encourage and support the dissemination and provision of publicity for any information acquired in connection with the above objectives.If your company aren't members of ROSCO then perhaps its time you suggested that they join. With events and workshops to improve driver skills ROSCO have achieved what they set out to do. It's remarkable to think that an organisation with the scope that they have is all done from a small office in Oxford. Yvonne said, "Our greatest achievement is the increasing number of drivers (some 46,000) and companies that are joining ROSCO. It shows that 'safety' really is top of the agenda for the industry."
I left with pads, posters, a pin and a renewed sense of hope that there is someone out there to (sorry about this) steer Passenger Services into a safe and accident-free future.
Sign up for their newsletter today, could be the move that saves someone's life.
A few suggestions from me for a safer driving experience.
- Had your eyes tested recently?
- Do not drink the night before a duty.
- If you have to take medication, make it clear to your Doctor or Pharmacist that you are a driver. (Even Hayfever tablets can have an adverse effect).
- Keep your head no matter what the buggers throw at you.
- When all else fails, smile. Makes people wonder what you're up to....
My next report will be from either Brake or Think! See who lets me in the door first!
Amanda Smith
PSVDrivers.COM
