Calls for Employers to do More to Reduce Road Casualties

Employers are being urged by road safety charity Brake to play their part in reducing the number of devastating casualties among pedestrians and cyclists.

Government figures show that six people are killed and 157 seriously injured every week while walking or cycling, and at least 24% of road deaths and serious injuries involve a vehicle being driven for work.

According to a report from Brake and Licence Bureau, many companies with staff who drive for work don’t have good practice procedures to protect people on foot and bike:

• More than half (54%) don’t provide driver education on protecting pedestrians and cyclists;
• Two-thirds (68%) don’t instruct drivers to slow down to 20mph around schools, homes and shops;
• Six in 10 (61%) don’t instruct drivers on looking twice and checking mirrors at junctions for cyclists or motorcyclists;
• Nine in 10 (89%) don’t plan routes to avoid schools and residential areas;
• Eight in 10 (80%) don't use blind spot sensors and seven in 10 (70%) don't use blind spot cameras on large commercial vehicles;
• Almost half (45%) don’t use telematics to monitor driver speed, so have no way of knowing if drivers are routinely endangering others by driving too fast.

“Employers have a crucial role to play in preventing people on foot and bicycle needlessly losing their lives or suffering terrible injuries,” explained Ellie Pearson, senior professional engagement officer at Brake. “Some are working hard and taking advantage of new technologies to minimise the risks their staff pose when driving on company time. And we know that when employers reduce these risks, they reap benefits like reduced costs and enhanced morale and reputation.”

“But it is disappointing that many employers are failing to take simple steps to ensure their drivers are doing everything possible to protect pedestrians and cyclists,” she added. “We’re appealing to all employers with staff who drive for work to get the right policies in place, make use of technologies to address blindspots and speeding, and ensure their drivers understand that protecting people always comes first.”

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