MANUAL OF FLEET MANAGEMENT
The purpose of this policy is to outline the company procedure for dealing with the work related driving while under the influence of medicines and illegal substances. This policy applies both during and outside business hours.
MANUAL OF FLEET MANAGEMENT
When an employee has consumed alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription medication, the risks associated with driving under their influence are considerable. In certain circumstances drivers in motor vehicle crashes may void insurance cover if they are found to have been driving while intoxicated or under the influence of both legal and illegal drugs and substances.
Drug taking impacts on the individuals’ ability to drive safety. Therefore it is the company policy that no transport activities will be undertaken on its behalf by employees under the influence of drugs.
As a consequence, the company enforces a policy of zero tolerance in the use of drugs or alcohol while at work, or when driving a company supplied vehicle or undertaking activities on behalf of the organisation.
Should any employee who is required to drive for business purposes lose their licence because of driving under the influence then the company may terminate their employment.
In addition, the company will seek to recover from the employee all costs associated with any damage resulting from a collision in which an employee (or a person authorised to drive by the employee) is convicted of, either due to exceeding the legal blood alcohol concentration, or driving while impaired by illicit, prescription or over the counter drugs carrying an impairment warning.
While there is a legal alcohol consumption limit (BAC) for fully licensed drivers, studies have found that consuming moderate amounts of alcohol still impacts on the skills necessary for driving. It is therefore important that when employees are driving company vehicles, driving on company business or when approved families members are in charge of a company vehicle, alcohol should not be consumed.
Furthermore, the consumption of alcohol in conjunction with other drugs is known to increase the risk of incident. The taking of illicit or illegal drugs is strictly prohibited and will result in termination of employment.
When taking prescribed or over the counter medicines which might impair their mental or physical performance/judgement authorised drivers must seek the advice of their Doctor or Pharmacist and not drive, or undertake other duties, if advised not to do so.
MANUAL OF FLEET MANAGEMENT
Drugs that can impact on the individual’s ability to drive can be divided into the three separate categories of ‘Legal recreational’ drugs, ‘medical’ drugs and ‘illicit’ drugs.
None of the three is less of an issue or problem than the other, but each has a different user and consequence profile.
Employees who need help or advice should know where they can get it confidentially and, for a certain time at least, without fear of retribution.
MANUAL OF FLEET MANAGEMENT
The consumption of even small amounts of alcohol can impair a driver and is known to significantly increase the chances of being involved in a collision.
Statistical data produced by the Federal Office of Road Safety indicates that a driver at 0.05 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is twice as likely to be involved in a road crash as a driver who has abstained from drinking. The risk at 0.08 is four times that of the alcohol-free driver. At 0.15 a driver is twenty five times more likely to be involved in a road crash than an alcohol free driver.
Additionally, medical evidence suggests that for a driver involved in a crash, alcohol will accelerate the chances of death. For example, with a BAC of 0.1 a driver is twice as likely to die from the same physical injury as an unimpaired driver.
The organisation needs to ensure that those who drive on its behalf or in a company supplied vehicle are provided with information on this issue.
MANUAL OF FLEET MANAGEMENT
Drivers must also recognise the danger of driving after the consumption of any prescribed drug carrying an impairment warning. An impairment warning includes those that advise that the taker should not operate machinery or take the medicine in conjunction with alcohol.
MANUAL OF FLEET MANAGEMENT
Under no circumstances will any activity that includes the use of a vehicle, whether supplied by the company or not, be undertaken on the company’s behalf by a driver that uses or is under the influence of illicit drugs.
As well as being illegal it is important to understand that the strength of any illicit substance is unknown. Additionally, despite popular cultural perception, there is no safe level of use of illicit drugs when driving. Cannabis, for instance, is known to significantly reduce observational skills and increases latency on the brakes, while amphetamine use can alter perception, behaviour and personality.
