Derby drivers face driving challenge

All last week, Derby drivers were faced with 9 driving challenges requiring confidence, concentration, and ability. Each driver was timed and there were big prizes to be won for the best of the best!

On Monday 28th March, Derby drivers saw their depot transformed into a driving skills boot camp, with 9 courses set out to test everything from reversing into confined spaces, to giving way to pedestrians waiting to cross - a challenge reflecting the latest updates to the Highway Code.

Area Trainer Paul Richards, who spearheaded the week’s event, was keen to engage Derby’s front line, and ensured the competition was fair but challenging:

“Each driver was timed from the moment they released the handbrake at the start, through to applying the handbrake after the last challenge was completed. There were, of course, consequences for incomplete tasks or knocking over props with 2 minutes added on to their final time!

“My favourite part was watching the drivers breathe a sigh of relief when they thought it was all over! “You’re not quite finished yet!”, I’d say, and hand them an envelope asking them to reverse back through the slalom – challenge number 9! I’m afraid I stole that from Top Gear…”

The 9 challenges drivers faced were to:

1. Reverse into a confined space
2. Hook a goody bag
3. Follow and react to highway code signs
4. Leave 2 metres when parking next to a cyclist
5. Bringing the vehicle safely to a stop without the dummy falling from the seat
6. Pull alongside a makeshift angled bus stop allowing access for a disabled passenger
7. Drive through a slalom
8. Give way to a pedestrian waiting to cross
9. Reverse back through the slalom to the start position

The prizes for successfully navigating this gauntlet were certainly tempting, with 1st place receiving a ￡150 Amazon voucher and trophy, a prize claimed by Frank Wheway at the end of the week. This was no mean feat, given the volume of participants keen to demonstrate their skills in Paul’s controlled environment!

Andy Bambridge, Risk Manager, said:

"I have been working collectively with Derby depot and training school since September last year to create a challenging, fun, and safety driven set of challenges for our drivers to promote safety and ultimately reduce incidents. I am immensely proud of the time, effort, and dedication of both Derby depot and training school, which has made the safety challenge week such a resounding success. Paul's vision and hard work have been vital in bringing this week to fruition."?

Raj Chander, General Manager, was thrilled with how the week panned out:

“This has been a great success for the depot, bringing in all departments to carry out the challenge. We had drivers, engineers, managers, directors and even some from head office!

“Obviously we want this event to help reduce overall incidents, but it’s also about engagement and morale in the depot. We gave away some excellent prizes, got a real buzz going on, and ultimately brought everyone together! Anything we can do to further support our drivers skills out on the road can only benefit the business, but to see all our departments come together and support our vision has been amazing.

“This has been a huge team effort, but I want to especially thank Paul and Chris Cooper, our driver trainers, for helping us make this happen!”

The full team involved in helping Paul make this week happen are:

• Chris Cooper – Driving Instructor
• Steve Hunt – Driving Instructor
• Peter Groves – Driving Instructor
• Andrew Coyle – Engineering
• Claire Hoyle – Stores
• Raj Chander – General Manager
• Andy Bambridge – Risk Manager