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Safety warning over at-work driving

31/03/08

Britons who drive for work purposes have been found to engage in unsafe habits more than other motorists.

Research conducted by road safety charity Brake and Green Flag found that these drivers could be risking their own and others' lives by indulging in potentially dangerous motoring on a regular basis.

This included failing to leave a two-second gap between their vehicle and the one in front, which 61 per cent of at-work drivers admitted to doing, compared with four in ten other motorists - potentially putting their car insurance premiums at risk.

More work drivers were also found to break speed limits than other motorists, with 77 per cent revealing that they have broken the 30mph limit in the past and 74 per cent exceeding the motorway speed limit regularly.

This is compared with 62 per cent and 49 per cent respectively for other types of driver - prompting Brake to call for tougher punishments for unsafe driving and for employers to take more responsibility by carefully planning journeys in advance to avoid putting pressure on staff to break the law so they can get to their destinations on time.

"It's horrifying that so many drivers admit breaking such basic road rules as leaving a two-second gap or sticking to the speed limit, especially when they drive for work," commented Cathy Keeler, Brake head of campaigns.

"Work pressures are no excuse for impatient and aggressive driving. Given the terrible death toll of nine people killed every day on our roads, there can be no room for complacency."

Previous Brake research has discovered that about one in seven people who have to drive as part of their jobs eat meals in their company vehicles at least once a week.

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