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Business Hurt By Demerit System


Business Hurt By Demerit System

Author: NRMADate: 26 May 2008

Almost one-in-four businesses in NSW and the ACT have had staff lose their drivers licenses under the demerit system, according to a comprehensive survey by NRMA's BusinessWise.

The survey of 560 NRMA BusinessWise members found 23 per cent have had staff taken off the road for losing their license, hurting productivity and revenue and placing their lives and the lives of others at risk.

In some instances staff have been fired because they could no longer fulfill their duties.

NRMA BusinessWise provides roadside assistance and member benefits including fuel advice and discounts to more than 18,000 businesses in NSW and the ACT.

The NRMA BusinessWise survey found:

  • Only four per cent of businesses provide rewards to staff who maintain a demerit free license
  • One-in-10 businesses provide driver training courses for their staff

NRMA Director, Coral Taylor said fleet-running businesses could help ensure staff stayed safe on the road and that productivity and revenue were not harmed by a loss of license.

"When staff lose their license the company they work for often has to send two staff on a job that would normally require one - or worse, the driver gets sacked," Ms Taylor said.

"Deliveries are delayed, productivity is affected and sales are hurt. This does not have to be the case.

"Businesses are encouraged to provide ongoing driver training for their staff and could consider a reward system for drivers who keep a clean record."

The BusinessWise survey found that almost one-quarter (22%) of businesses helped pay for fines when staff were booked while on duty.

The majority of businesses (53%) did not support introducing a new demerit system for fleet-running businesses.

"Our BusinessWise members and the NRMA support the demerit system because it encourages motorists to do the right thing behind the wheel - it's about keeping the community safe," Ms Taylor said.

"There are things we can do to help motorists keep a clean record, that's why the NRMA will provide incentives to fleet running businesses to provide training for their staff.

"We know driver training can help drivers maintain a clean record on the road."

NRMA BusinessWise members will now get a 10 per cent discount on 10 hours or more driver-training booked through NRMA's Driver Training Schools.

The organisation is also holding a one-day driver training course for fleet-running businesses at Eastern Creek on June 12.

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