At work road safety - the scale of the problem

It has been estimated that, nationally, up to a third of all road traffic crashes involve somebody who was at work at the time - which may equate to over 20 fatalities and 250 serious injuries every week. The Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) believes that driving is the UK's biggest work related safety issue.

Research by the Transport Research Institute reveals that employees who regularly drive for work are much more likely than other road users to cause crashes. The study says that these drivers break speed limits, get fined, pick up penalty points and crash more often than other drivers.

By managing occupational road risk, employers are protecting their number one asset - their employees.

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Department for Transport (National) PRESS RELEASE
TOUGH NEW POWERS TO MAKE UK ROADS SAFER

New powers to ensure that all drivers who break the rules of the road face tough penalties come into force today - Wed 1st April 2009.

Under the new laws drivers - including hauliers - living outside the UK will no longer be able to escape the penalties faced by UK offenders. The Police and examiners from the Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA) can now collect on-the-spot payments from alleged offenders who cannot provide a satisfactory UK address. Those caught committing an endorsable offence will also have penalty points put on their UK driving record, which could lead to them being banned from driving in the UK.

VOSA examiners will also - for the first time - be able to issue fixed penalty notices to drivers of heavy goods vehicles from both the UK and abroad, in addition to immobilising vehicles where driving hours, weight or vehicle safety rules have been broken.

Jim Fitzpatrick, Road Safety Minister, said: "We want to keep our roads as safe as possible and these tough new measures mean that any driver who breaks the rules of the road - putting themselves and others at risk - will have to face the consequences.

"The only way for drivers and hauliers to avoid tough penalties will be to obey our traffic laws and ensure their vehicles are fully roadworthy."

Chief Constable Mick Giannasi, ACPO Lead for Roads Policing, said:

"The schemes introduced today will help law enforcement agencies deal more effectively with non-UK residents who commit driving offences and drivers committing commercial vehicle offences. Enforcing road safety legislation fairly and consistently against all offenders no matter where they live, have come from or are going to, will ensure our roads are safer and help us reduce death and injury."

From today those drivers without a satisfactory UK address who commit traffic offences will have to pay a financial penalty deposit equal to the amount of the fixed penalty or £300 as a deposit in respect of a potential court fine.

The new measures will also enable the Police and VOSA to immobilise any vehicle that has been prohibited from continuing a journey where a driver is breaking the rules on drivers' hours; is driving an overloaded or unroadworthy vehicle; or in cases where a driver refuses to pay a requested financial deposit.

MANAGING OCCUPATIONAL ROAD RISK (MORR) SEMINAR
Next Seminar - Thursday 2nd July in Colchester, Essex

A FREE one-day seminar covering health and safety issues for your vehicles, your drivers and you.

Please register your details for more information by emailing elaine.appleby@essex.gov.uk or by calling 01245 437004

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MANAGING OCCUPATIONAL ROAD RISK (MORR) EVENT WITH COMMUNITY WHEELS
WEDNESDAY 24th JUNE 2009
GORSE LANE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, CLACTON ON SEA

A chance for local businesses to drop in and join us for an informal chat, to discuss ways in which we can assist you to manage the risks associated with driving for work.

Click on 'More' below for details...
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