Driver Awareness: The Facts

With an estimated 200 road deaths each week attributed to those travelling for some kind of work, Driver Awareness is a crucial part of training for organisations involved in any kind of transport or logistics, as well as those with mobile staff. In terms of fatalities, more people die each year in work-related driving accidents than in any other kind of workplace accident – with those driving more than 25,000 miles per year for work in the highest risk bracket.

Whilst most employers are familiar with the Health and Safety at Work Act in its ‘traditional’ capacity, some may not be aware that employers’ responsibilities extend beyond the office and also cover the safety of employees whilst travelling on the roads for business purposes. Whilst all road users are, of course, obliged to comply with generic road safety laws (enforced by the Police, DSA, DVLA and other law enforcement agencies), employers must provide company drivers with information regarding:

• Potential risks arising from their work;
• Proposals to manage and/or control these risks;
• Relevant health and safety training, as well as documents such as driver training policy, road safety policy and vehicle maintenance policy

 EU regulations relating to commercial lorry, bus or coach drivers stipulate that any hours spent driving must be recorded on a tachograph, and that work driving hours must not exceed:

• 9 hours in a day
• 56 hours in a week
• 90 hours in any 2 consecutive weeks

It is also recommended that drivers should have 45 minutes’ break for every four and a half hours they spend behind the wheel. With 95% of collisions being caused by human error, it’s crucial to ensure that recommended breaks and sensible driving practice are observed. Our next course release – Driver Awareness – provides an excellent tool for ensuring that your staff are up to date when it comes to driver and road safety. Get started with a free trial today!