At work drivers taking deadly risks on roads
Posted: 9th January 2013
Posted in: Car Accidents Road Traffic Accidents Workplace Injuries 
Recently published research has found that many people who drive for work are risking their own lives, and those of others, by texting, speeding and grooming behind the wheel.
The results from a survey carried out by Brake and Direct Line show that:
- Nearly a third (31%) text while driving, compared to 28% of non-work drivers.
- Nearly one in six (17%) admit grooming while driving, compared with 14% of non-work drivers.
- More than a third (37%) admit driving while talking on a hands-free phone, compared with 24% of non-work drivers.
- More than half (54%) admit speeding on 60mph limit roads, compared with 34% of non-work drivers.
- More than three quarters (76%) admit speeding more than 5mph above the limit on 30mph roads, compared with 62% of non-work drivers.
Nearly a third (30%) of journeys on our roads are made by drivers who are at work at the time. These drivers are 26% more likely to be in a car crash than people driving on their own time. In Great Britain, ten people are killed each week and 100 injured by people driving for work.
Julie Townsend, Brake deputy chief executive, said:
“People who drive as part of their job should be taking great care to stay within the law and not put people in danger, but according to these results, at-work drivers are more likely to take many deadly risks than other drivers.”
“We are urging all employers to ensure they have comprehensive safe driving policies in place and that staff know the importance of not speeding or driving distracted. We are also calling on anyone who drives for work to make a commitment to stay within speed limits, stay off the phone, and focused on the critical task at hand.”
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