Work-related road risk

For many Prospect members, driving during the course of work is the most dangerous part of their occupation. About 1,000 people are killed in work-related road accidents on UK roads.

What are the hazards?

The journey

• road type
• distance
• time allocated to travelling
• time of travel (some hours are higher risk)
• weather conditions
• speed limits and
• familiarity with the route.

The vehicle 

• maintenance
• distractions, eg mobile phones/mobile data terminals
• familiarity with the vehicle controls and responses
• loads to be carried
• safety specifications, eg driver and passenger airbags, ABS, EuroNCAP star rating
• defect identification and correction
• mechanical defect
• potential for injury, eg from mobile phone mounting.

The driver

• age
• experience
• training
• competence and attitude
• stress/ fatigue
• health and fitness
• alcohol and drugs
• selection – qualified and assessed.

Guidance on risk control

New Prospect guidance on occupational road risk is due to be launched in 2009. In the meantime, please refer to the following:

• HSE work-related road safety
• Department for Transport 'Driving for work' web pages
• Prospect factcard 'Safer driving'.

Feedback

We are interested in your views and welcome suggestions on how these webpages could be improved or your ideas for new content you would like to see. Please email us at SafetyReps@prospect.org.uk