Driving at Work
It is estimated that around 200 road deaths and serious injuries each week involve someone at work. This means an estimated one third of all crashes involve somebody at work at the time - that's a tragic waste of about 1,000 lives every year.
Clearly the penalties and consequences to the driver, the employer and the general public of not driving safely can range from the inconvenient to the very serious and, sometimes to the catastrophic.
Drivers at work have a special responsibility - not just to themselves, but to all other road users, to set a good example to others by driving safely, courteously and with consideration for everyone else on our busy roads.
Employers and the self-employed should take great care to ensure that the vehicles used are safe and maintained to an appropriately high standard. This on its own is not enough to ensure safety. It is up to the driver, to:
- check your vehicle regularly
- know the route you are driving
- be aware of weather forecasts
- drive safely
Not only will carrying out safety checks help reduce the risk of accidents but it will also reduce the associated costs that go hand in hand with accidents such as:
- insurance
- repairs
- compensation
- loss of earnings
Many accidents are preventable.
Take time to assess what potential dangers your next journey involves and what you need to do to complete the journey safely and efficiently.
Ternarius: This article was featured in the Spring 2008 edition. Please click here for more information about Tern Associates newsletter.
