Hertz UAE launches awareness drive as research shows accidents at work are three times more expensive

UAE fleet managers under pressure to ensure smooth operations while keeping costs down are being told that safe driving techniques can save money, as well as lives. 

Hertz UAE is delivering that message through a new awareness drive which is part of its ongoing efforts to play a part in reducing road accidents in the Emirates. 

Through regular meetings with fleet managers and newsletters to all its corporate clients, the company is advising them to enrol drivers in defensive driving courses and to place a bigger emphasis on regular maintenance of vehicles according to manufacturers’ guidelines. 

This is in response to recent research from the UK which shows that accidents at work are actually three times as expensive as non-work related accidents due to employee recovery and vehicle down time during repair.  

More research in the US has found that 13-15% of a fleet manager’s total annual budget goes toward costs accumulated from accidents, and that companies incur crash-related costs of around $US54.7 billion per year. 

Neil Parkins, General Manager, Hertz Fleet Operations, said: “Most of the safety policies we recommend are preventative and involve investing money in a fleet via maintenance and tracking.”

“It may seem counter intuitive at first to spend money on something before there is a specific ‘need’ per se, but over time most managers realise that preventing accidents and keeping vehicles well maintained actually saves funds in the long run, not to mention saving the lives of employees as well.” 

Parkins adds: “Tracking maintenance expenditure is one of the easiest and most effective ways to minimise costs and increase fleet safety, and should be part of every fleet safety policy. Excessive tyre and brake wear and high fuel costs point to unsafe driving practices such as braking excessively and speeding– all habits that lead to a greater risk of costly accidents. Proper tracking allows managers to flag issues early.”    

All Hertz UAE drivers are now required to take defensive driving courses, and the company believes this is an investment that will pay off over time. 

“Minimising accidents is of utmost importance for any employer with drivers on the road,” said Nigel Johnson, Managing Director of Hertz UAE. “Not only do safe driver habits benefit our bottom line, they also help protect our drivers and the public at large from the risk of accidents.” 

Hertz UAE currently leases approximately 9,000 vehicles to over 600 clients, and all of these are fully insured and undergo a 40-point quality check-up prior to handover.