There is no evidence that work travel in employee-owned vehicles is any safer than in employer-owned vehicles. Yet the risk management of grey fleets is often overlooked by employers and employees. Many companies apply less stringent regulations, or none, to grey fleet vehicles, failing to manage the safety of these vehicles or the safety standards of their drivers. Research by Brake found that even among companies that subscribe to the charity, nearly one in three (32%) report their policies on vehicle checks and maintenance do not extend to grey fleet vehicles. Grey fleet vehicles present particular risk management challenges. For example, in the UK, employee-owned cars used for business are nearly seven years old on average and therefore do not benefit from the latest safety technology. This compares unfavourably with company cars which, in the UK, leave service on average after four years. (Author/publisher)
Abstract