Wincanton, the largest British logistics company, has today announced its backing for Driver First Assist, a not for profit organisation comprising drivers who have been trained to manage the scene at a road traffic collision as a first responder. This initiative will see Wincanton train its drivers to deliver lifesaving first aid at the scene of a road traffic collision, equipping them with the skills to respond effectively in the crucial moments immediately following a crash, before emergency services have arrived on the scene.

Created with the help of the Police, Ambulance and Fire and Rescue Service, Driver First Assist is backed by the Department for Transport, and supported by the Road Haulage Association, Institute of Advanced Motorists and Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. It is also endorsed by other well-known companies including Aldi, John Lewis and Iron Mountain.

Driver First Assist has already delivered training to a wide range of organisations, and is currently delivering a training program to Highways England’s cohort of approximately 1,000 traffic officers.

Dean Clamp, Group HSEQ Director at Wincanton, said: “We have thousands of drivers on roads up and down the country at any one time. These drivers are a vital part of our business at Wincanton, and so we are always committed to providing them with increased training and skills to show that driving doesn’t have to just be a job, it’s a career.

“There are numerous anecdotes across the company of where our drivers have stopped to help those injured in road traffic accidents. Although we are by no means mandating this, we are actively promoting the programme so that if our drivers do choose to help, they are appropriately prepared.

“Our backing of Driver First Assist complements the existing health and safety strategy we have in place at Wincanton, which is based around making our drivers feel more professional and responsible while undertaking their daily activities.”

David Higginbottom, CEO, Driver First Assist, added: “Road traffic collision fatalities often occur not just because of injuries sustained, but because those first at the scene don’t have the skills to deliver lifesaving first aid.

“With the backing of companies like Wincanton, the Driver First Assist initiative becomes even more effective, and the potential benefits even more significant. We are delighted to have the company’s support.”

Wincanton has already begun to schedule training sessions for its drivers over the coming months.

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About the Author: John Loughran