The photo shows trainee Robbie Jamieson with Dee Hawkins, the scheme’s co-ordinator and ADI assessor Richard Barber

Essex emphasises employee excellence with new driver scheme

"It was a great afternoon and it has changed my driving, without a doubt."

That was the reaction from one participant in Essex County Council’s newly launched Driver Assessment Scheme for employees who drive lease cars under contract to the council. The initiative supports and complements the county’s existing driving standards policy and code of practice.

The training and assessment is carried out by ADI assessors. A theory session is followed by three hours of one-to-one tuition including vehicle checks, an assessed drive, a demonstration drive and on-road training. Participants receive a certificate of completion along with copies of their assessment form, the county council’s driving standards code of practice and the Highway Code.

Other participants in the inaugural session were also enthusiastic about the scheme. "I learned more in the first hour than I had learned in any previous driving training," said one. "When you hear about the difference just a few miles an hour makes to your stopping distance, you really think hard about your speed," added another.

Rosemary Welch, the county’s traffic & safety manager commented: "Essex has been a leader in the field of driving standards policies. Demanding high standards from our own ‘at work’ drivers is a vital part of our ongoing strategy to reduce road casualties. Training for our fleet drivers has been in place for a long time and the introduction of an assessment programme for lease car drivers is a further reflection of Essex County Council’s continuing commitment toward addressing the problems of occupational road risk. No matter how long someone has been driving there is always room for improvement.’

For information about the Driver Assessment Scheme in Essex contact Dee Hawkins on 01245 437234 or Dermot.Hawkins@essexcc.gov.uk.