Role of Working Group 1

The Working Protocols & Best Practice working group has been set up to review any changes that may impact on the safe operation of breakdown and recovery services on the strategic road network. Also, any new working protocols developed to ensure the safety of those who either work on or use the strategic road network are consider by the working group.

Membership:

• Association of Chief Police Officers
• Automobile Association
• Green Flag 
• Highways Agency
• RAC Motoring Services
• Road Maintenance Contractors
• Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
• Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators

Key Issues being addressed by the Working Group

Learning from Incidents and Near Misses - The AA and RAC are continuing to monitor accidents using their own internal systems and share the data for analysis purposes. Green Flag are investigating if the Institute of Vehicle Recovery could collate similar data from recovery operators.

Best Practice Guidelines - Work has commenced in drafting the format and content of the Best Practice Guidelines which will be published on the SURVIVE website. All terms and definitions used in the Guidelines will be in line with PAS 43, with the generic guidelines being drawn from the AA ‘HOMS' manual, RAC induction training modules as well as PAS 43.   

Safety - Working Group1 has also discussed the safest positioning of drivers and passengers once the technician had arrived at the breakdown scene.  The safest place to wait was agreed as being behind a barrier if one existed. If no barrier was present, then they should remain adjacent to the technician's vehicle until the technician had determined the outcome of the breakdown (either repair or recovery.

More Information:

For more information about the work of SURVIVE please contact SURVIVE at mailto:surviveorg@googlemail.com