Training never stops for Summit Platforms drivers

Drivers from the Summit Platforms Birmingham depot completed a Safe Urban Driving CPC course.

This course involves drivers going out on a bike for half a day to understand what it’s like to be a vulnerable road user.They took to the roads of Birmingham on Saturday 15th October to complete the course and came away with a better understanding of what cyclists must contend with when cycling around town.

Driver Andrew Smith (also known as Scooby) said: “It was interesting getting out on the bike on local roads and seeing how cycle roadways and paths are trying to keep everyone safe. I’m not a cyclist myself so it certainly made me think about things from the cyclists’ point of view. Roads are so busy now and we must all find a way to share them safely, and this course helps drivers gain a better understanding of cycling infrastructure in our towns and cities.”  

Drivers must complete the Safe Urban Driving course once every 5 years as part of the FORS Silver accreditation, which Summit Platforms achieved last year for its two London depots. FORS Silver focusses strongly on driver and vehicle safety, as well as interaction with other road users, and recognises fleet operators that set high standards for safety, business performance and environmental protection.

In the photo above are, left to right: Paul Johnstone, Wayne Doyle, Andrew Smith, Stephen George.

Summit Platforms operates nine hire depots across the UK – Glasgow, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Wakefield, Haydock, Birmingham, Portsmouth, Bristol, London East and London West.