The largest independent vehicle management company in the UK
News & events
Video evidence of how company car and van drivers are abusing their vehicles has uncovered a ‘chamber of horrors’, according to latest pictures revealed by Fleet Support Group.
The vehicle abuse has been revealed by video cameras in garages used by FSG. The incidents include:
FSG is Britain’s largest independent fleet management organisation managing 55,000 company cars, vans and trucks. It uses a nationwide network of specialist independent garages for service, maintenance and repair (SMR) work.
A core group of 125 dealers in towns and cities close to where the majority of customers’ vehicles are located are equipped with FSG’s Masterview system and undertake the majority of SMR work.
Masterview is a unique remote video inspection system that enables fleet managers to view the condition of vehicles and components anywhere around the country, either in real time or recorded for later transmission.
When vehicles are booked into the garages for service and repair, a video link allows FSG maintenance experts at its Chippenham headquarters to view live pictures via broadband. When vehicle abuse is detected, fleet managers in charge of the damaged vehicles are informed and shown the evidence.
As a result of the abuse uncovered, FSG runs a campaign aimed at fleet decision-makers called ‘Are Your Vehicles Fit For Purpose’. It supports the company’s long-established RiskMaster work-related road safety programme.
FSG Chairman Geoffrey Bray said: “Masterview has highlighted numerous horror stories to fleet managers as to exactly what damage drivers are causing to company vehicles.
“On viewing the live pictures fleet managers are often shocked at the condition of some of their vehicles. They then use Masterview to police the situation. The technology particularly comes into its own when vehicles are located away from where fleet managers can undertake their own vehicle inspections.”
He added: “Masterview is primarily aimed at spotting ‘SAD’ images - safety, abuse and damage. The chamber of horrors that we have identified over the years has been staggering.”
Other examples of driver vehicle abuse, which not only impacts on safety but also on a company’s image, costs money to repair and hits car and van residual values, that has been uncovered include:
Mr Bray said: “As employers, companies have a duty to manage work-related road safety and to demonstrate that they have taken all reasonable practicable steps to ensure the safety of their drivers and other users. In addition, companies are responsible for ensuring that their vehicles are fit for purpose. The range of vehicle damage that we uncover invariably results in companies taking swift action to stem the abuse.
“Our Masterview system enables fleet managers to keep an eye on their vehicles to make sure they are roadworthy, are being driven well and are properly cared for and thereby conforming with duty of care regulations. By actively encouraging drivers to care for their vehicles, fleet operating costs are reduced and vehicle values maintained.”
Network Rail uses FSG for SMR work across its fleet of more than 8,500 light commercial vehicles and company cars. Head of fleet Chuck Ives said: “Cars and vans can be expensive killing machines if not serviced and kept in the best condition.
“Our task is to eliminate risk through tight controls and effective management. By adopting a zero tolerance maintenance attitude across our fleet we have achieved a 30% reduction in accidents and a significant drop in fleet costs.
“We constantly monitor data and information which is why vehicle reliability is at an all-time high. As a result, maintenance costs have fallen dramatically as preventative maintenance processes have taken effect.
“Driver culture has changed as a result. They know their vehicles are being monitored and acknowledge the need for regular maintenance. All vehicle fleets should adopt this common sense approach to vehicle maintenance.”
Fleet Support Group (FSG) is the largest independent vehicle management company in the UK and looks after approximately 50,000 vehicles.
The well-established organisation based in Chippenham, Wiltshire, has gained an enviable reputation within the industry by continually concentrating on delivering a consistent, quality service embracing full vehicle acquisition and disposal, vehicle outsourcing, fleet management, risk management and work-related road safety, maintenance management, accident management, breakdown recovery, short-term car rental and truck management.
Within the FSG team, there is significant industry experience and qualifications across the range of services provided. This in turn is supported by an in-house IT operation which is continuously upgrading the internal systems and applications to ensure that, by innovation and product development, FSG leads the field in the provision of vehicle management.
For further information contact: FSG chairman Geoffrey Bray on 0844 8000 700