Men More Likely to Break Safety Rules when Driving for Work

Drink-driving and speeding employees are putting employers in breach of safety rules, according to new research. Men are the worst offenders, with over half admitting to breaking the law while driving on business.

55% of male road users polled by YouGov for UK health and safety experts, Croner, said they have knowingly broken the speed limit when driving for work purposes. One in ten said they have, or might have, driven on business grounds when over the legal alcohol limit.

(Only 38% of females admit to breaking the speed limit, and one percent to drink driving).

These figures could soar during the Christmas period, says Croner, who is reminding employers of their health and safety responsibilities for occupational driving so that they donít fall foul of the law.

Nasar Farooq, safety technical manager at Croner, says: ìDriving can be one of the most dangerous work activities and a worrying number of employees surveyed admit to taking risks. Of the 3,600 fatalities every year on British roads, between 800 and 1,000 involve people driving for work purposes, with the Christmas period notorious for accidents.

ìWomen or young people are often accused of being the worst drivers, but our survey shows that statistically itís more likely to be a senior male manager who will break the law than a junior member of staff, as men in the over 50 age group are clearly revealed as the most irresponsible drivers.î

Nasar warns of a common misconception among employers regarding their responsibilities for work driving. ìEmployers shouldnít be fooled that they are only responsible for employees driving company cars, as safety law covers any vehicle which is used for work purposes.

ìWe are alerting employers to ensure their staff understand the rules over work driving before they get behind the wheel this Christmas. Employers who donít have a comprehensive occupational driving policy in place risk hefty fines, but more importantly the lives of their employees.î

Cronerís Occupational Driving Advice:

Under the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974, employers have a duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all employees, which includes providing information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure safety whilst driving.

Employers must produce a health and safety policy, which includes occupational driving. This should ensure that drivers understand their duties under road traffic legislation to prevent:

- the consequences of alcohol and drug use
- the effects of speed and traffic levels
- the effects of fatigue and stress.

The policy should state that the company has a zero tolerance attitude towards drink driving, or driving whilst under the influence of illegal drugs (which could cover certain prescription and over-the-counter medicines). Any employee found driving with illegal drugs in their bloodstream, or alcohol above the legal maximum level, will be subject to immediate dismissal.

The employer should carry out a risk assessment of each company driver, including those who use their own car for work purposes. The assessment should cover attitudes of the driver towards speeding, alcohol and drug awareness, as well as driving experience and fitness to drive. It should also take into account the journey requirements and the state of the vehicle. Once the risks are identified employers should then take steps to minimise the risk to safety, these can include:

- Increasing the awareness of the dangers of:

a) having a couple of drinks and driving
b) driving under the influence of drugs, and;
c) speeding

- Educating drivers that they canít calculate their alcohol limit

- Shake the driverís confidence about their own ërule of thumbí of whatís safe to drink and drive

- Get drivers to think about the consequences of being caught.

Employers also have a duty to reduce the risk from fatigue, lone working and the use of mobile phones while driving. Employers seeking to implement an occupational road risk policy are advised to seek professional advice.