How can we Make Driving for Work Safer

IIIII HOW CAN WE MAKE DRIVING FOR WORK Safer? I III People who drive for a living or who drive as part of their job are at greater risk of being in a road collision than 'non-professional drivers. In companies where driving is a core task, staff and management have a responsibility to ensure that the risks to drivers are managed properly. DRIVING FOR WORK: DAMNING STATISTICS People who drive for work are 30%-40% more likely In the UK, 3 out of 4 workplace fatalities involve vehicles, compared to just 1 out of 4 in the USA. Almost 1 in 3 road crashes involves to be involved in a road accident than someone driving for work. other drivers. Source: Department of Transport Does driving for work elicit bad motoring habits? % of at-work drivers Admitted to 76% A Going faster than 35mph on a 30mph road 50% Driving while distracted by personal issues 43% O Lapses in concentration at the wheel due to work stress 35% D Talking on a handheld mobile phone while driving 32% ( Speeding when late or on a tight schedule 15% Reading or sending text messages while driving at least once a month 13% ?z Driving after less than 5 hours' sleep at least once a month 12% Overtaking when they couldn't see what was coming against them 10% Getting behind the wheel after taking medication which advises against driving 7% A Driving the morning after heavy drinking at least once a month 7% I Driving while tired at least once a month 7% Falling asleep at the wheel 6% Drink-driving at least once a month 5% Driving after taking illegal drugs 国 Using mobile apps or browsing the ernet whle driving at once a month Source: Brake JOBS WHICH INVOLVE DRIVING TAKI Delivery driving for businesses Taxi & public transport driving Utility provision (e.g. engineers who go on callouts for broadband or Sales & Journalism marketing (e.g. couriers, HGV drivers) energy companies) Emergency services (e.g. ambulance & fire truck drivers) Enforcement Mechanics & Waste Agriculture & construction bodies (e.g. police, customs staff) vehicle recovery collection EMPLOYERS' RESPONSIBILITIES - RATING Develop a 'driving for work' policy: Plan for Monitor the driving Assess journeys: duties of staff: performance: This involves listing all reasonably foreseeable risks for staff driving for work and notifying them of these risks, as well as drawing It's pointless creating procedures without checking to see if they're being followed, so employers should regularly review the driving behaviour of their staff and, if any worrying trends emerge, work with staff to eliminate This policy should outline how driving for work is managed in relation to the driver, the vehicle and the Keep a log of journeys undertaken by drivers for work, including departure and arrival times, as well as recording any vehicle inspections and maintenance. The journey. The designated policy manager is responsible for ensuring that this policy is followed for all work-specific journeys undertaken by the company's staff. up control measures to minimise or eliminate these distances driven by staff in a year should also be logged, along with details of any collisions which occur. risks. these. ADVICE FOR WORKING DRIVERS If tricky weather conditions are If you have certain Plan your Calculate your expected journey time and allow for as many reasonably foreseeable Consider booking into overnight accommodation if you're facing a long late-night journey, as fatigue could easily set in after a hectic route colleagues with thoroughly so that you use the safest one by avoiding potential hazards such expected, factor these into your you on most expected journey journeys, consider sharing the driving between you. If you drive one day, ask your colleague if he/she would drive the time. If road conditions are very as bridges, tunnels and level crossings if possible. delays as possible (e.g. traffic, roadworks). hazardous, consider postponing your planned drive until it is safe to go out on the road. day. next time. ROAD SAFETY INDUSTRY OPINIONS Employers should have a vehlcle risk management pollcy that covers all vehlcle-related activitles In the workplace. This Includes not only vehlcles operated by employees but also those visiting that need to be managed and controlled. There Is much more that many employers could do to ensure thelr staff don't feel under pressure to take risks - such as by rushlng between appolntments or feeling obliged to take calls at the wheel - and to make safety thelr number one prlorlty. Whle some organisatlons work hard to ensure the safety of their vehlcles and drivers, many others could DEIRDRE SINNOTT senior inspector with the Health & Safety Authority. do far more. JULIE TOWNSEND deputy chief executive of Brake road safety charity. *The people quoted are in no way affiliated with Southside Motor Factors. References ayrton.ie/vehicle-accidents-responsible-45-workplace-fatalities-ireland/ brake.org.uk/assets/docs/dl_reports/DLreport8-At-work-2012-complete.pdf drivingforworkie/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Driving-for-Work-Employer-Guidelines.pdf SOUTHSIDE MOTOR FACTORS For Car Parts & Accessories www.smf.ie