Building supplies company Travis Perkins has announced its 4,000 drivers will be taking part in a Transport for London-accredited scheme to improve road safety.
The TfL Safe Urban Driving Course aims to give drivers a different perspective on using highways and it focuses its attention on vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
As part of the course, which is run by driving training company Fleet Source, Travis Perkins’ van drivers will need to cycle on a public highway to experience life as a vulnerable road user.
It is hoped that after taking the course, drivers will pay more attention to cyclists on the capital’s streets.
“This ‘on-road’ cycle element gives drivers the perspective of riding on London’s roads. Having this insight into the behaviours of other road users is invaluable in making our communities and streets safer, not only in London but all across the UK,” said Graham, Bellman, group fleet director at Travis Perkins.
“Travis Perkins wanted to ensure that they got drivers considering how they currently drive and the impact that has on vulnerable road users. Taking drivers out into the urban environment on a pushbike really enables them to see road safety from a different perspective to what they usually experience behind the wheel,” said Steve Hamon, sales & marketing director at Fleet Source.