How do you create a bespoke driver training programme for fuel transportation?

In 2022, Oxalis Logistics took a significant step forward in enhancing driver safety by creating our own in-house defensive driving training programme called Go Defensive. For years, we had relied on a third-party training provider, but the generic content wasn’t tailored to the specific challenges of UK tanker drivers. While the training was effective, it didn’t address the road conditions of the vehicles our drivers use. We recognised the need for a bespoke programme that would be directly relevant to the real-world scenarios our drivers face every day.

We formed a working group of experienced driver trainers from across the business, including experts from our fuel logistics and bitumen sectors. Together, we went through an extensive process to develop a tailored programme that features real-world footage shot with cameras mounted on our vehicles and from drones and animations that feature an Oxalis Logistics tanker on UK-specific smart motorways (as opposed to six-lane American roads). This footage captured the specific hazards and traffic situations Oxalis Logistics’ drivers encounter on the UK’s motorways. The training programme is designed to be engaging and relatable, helping our drivers stay alert to daily challenges.

The programme is based on four core principles of defensive driving:

Look and Plan Ahead

Anticipating hazards and making proactive decisions.

All-Round Observations

Constant awareness of surroundings to avoid potential risks.

Create and Maintain Space

Keeping a safe distance from other vehicles.

Make Sure You Are Seen

Ensuring the driver is visible to other road users, reducing the risk of accidents.

How Go Defensive is changing driving behaviours at Oxalis Logistics

Since the launch of Go Defensive, the feedback from our drivers has been overwhelmingly positive. The real-world relevance of the training has made it easier for our drivers to connect with the content. Many of our drivers are so engaged that they have started sharing the defensive driving principles with their families and friends. Some have even taught their children how to drive more safely, extending the benefits of the programme way beyond the workplace. 

As Jim Cairns, Oxalis Logistics’ Operations Training Manager, reflects: “We take this as a compliment – they wouldn’t be as eager to share it if they didn’t see the benefits.” This ripple effect demonstrates how Go Defensive has not only changed driving habits within our workforce but also contributed to safer driving in the wider community.

A crucial aspect of the Go Defensive programme is ensuring that the training doesn’t just teach drivers new techniques but also that it becomes ingrained in their day-to-day behaviour. We wanted to go beyond creating just another training programme and prompt a cultural shift in how our drivers think about safety.

Go Defensive is reinforced with visible reminders, such as yellow indicators on our trucks, and engaging branding, which reminds our drivers of the importance of practising safe driving at all times. And to ensure the principles of defensive driving stay front of mind, in addition to annual refreshers covering all aspects of the role, we deliver a half-day of dedicated Go Defensive training every two years. This constant reinforcement helps make defensive driving a habit, encouraging proactive and safer driving behaviours across our fleet.