A pioneering safety partnership between Drivetech, a leader in driver risk management, and Balfour Beatty has achieved a 67% reduction in high-risk drivers and slashed risk mitigation times by 72% for the infrastructure giant.
In early 2024, Balfour Beatty identified a surge in high-risk drivers through its Permit to Drive process. To complement its existing internal training network, the company needed an expert partner to step in and deliver high-quality, scalable training. Working with Drivetech, the businesses have implemented a robust, data-driven approach that has transformed driver safety performance across multiple regions.
Following the delivery of 86 courses across ten regions, the partnership has yielded an incredible 67% reduction in high-risk drivers (from 263 to 86), a 72% faster intervention in risk mitigation (with response times cut from 183 days to 51 days) and a 98% success rate in mitigating identified risks.
The collaboration’s success is the result of a structured, tech-enabled approach. Real-time risk tracking was achieved through a shared training tracker on MS Teams and SharePoint, ensuring seamless coordination. Aligned safety standards helped to standardise training reports and assessment thresholds, optimising driver evaluations. Additionally, regular strategy meetings and clear escalation channels enabled quick decision-making and efficient issue resolution.
“Ensuring our people get home safely to their loved ones is of the utmost importance to the business. This collaboration has meant that we can identify those drivers who need extra support and intervene quicker than ever before,” said Tim Fieldhouse, fleet services director at Balfour Beatty.
Beyond the immediate impact, the partnership has sparked additional initiatives, including the development of a Category B driver package and electric vehicle training, reinforcing long-term fleet safety.
This groundbreaking initiative has also been named a finalist for a major industry award, highlighting its impact on workplace safety and risk reduction.
“Drivetech has an established track record for helping people make better and safer driving decisions,” said Nick Butler, director, Drivetech. “We’re proud to be supporting Balfour Beatty in its ongoing mission to support its fleet drivers and ensure their wellbeing. The results achieved so far are great and we’re looking forward to building on this as we continue working together.”