(Picture courtesy of mrJasonWeaver on Flickr)
Employers are being urged to remind staff who spend a lot of time on the road for work purposes about the importance of paying attention at all times, following the release of shocking new figures into driving habits.
Research conducted by Brake, the road safety charity, and Direct Line has highlighted that an alarming number of employees run a high risk of being involved in serious accidents due to their reckless actions.
The study found that:
- Speeding is a major problem, with 76% driving at over 35mph in built-up areas and 54% speeding on 60mph roads
- One in three (31%) use mobile phones to text while behind the wheel
- Nearly one in five (17%) have been preoccupied with applying make-up or shaving
A spokesperson for First4Lawyers commented: “It is extremely important for people who must drive frequently in their jobs to stay focussed while travelling.
“One lapse of concentration is all it takes to potentially ruin the lives of other motorists, passengers, road users and pedestrians.
“Put your mobile phone in a place where it won’t distract you if you’re about to set off, never try and multi-task and observe speed limits at all times while behind the wheel. “Hopefully this survey from Brake will prompt motorists to think more carefully when they are behind the wheel whilst highlighting the importance of remaining vigilant when it comes to their own safety and that of other road users. .”
According to figures on the Brake website, 10 people are killed every week and 100 sustain injuries by people driving for work.
Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive at Brake, is also hoping for a positive reaction from those drivers who may have acted recklessly in the past in light of the charity’s findings.
She said: “It is appalling so many people who drive in a professional capacity are taking such horrendous and unnecessary risks, doing things we all know are unbelievably dangerous behind the wheel.
“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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