DRIVING FOR A LIVING CAN BE LETHAL

March 12th, 2008 Hinchliffes

A Department for Transport report indicates that work related driving causes over a quarter of all road deaths. Their figures show that 26% of deaths on Britain’s roads last year (ie 858 out of a total of 3,172) involved drivers who were “at work”.

Road Safety Minister, Stephen Ladyman, said:

“I used to drive for work myself and I know the pressures. Tough deadlines can push you over the speed limit, and distractions like the boss calling you on your mobile can take your attention off the road.”

The Police are also getting tough on incidents on the roads that are a type of work accident by holding employers responsible if, for example, their employees who are required to drive as part of their job do not have insurance or a valid driving license, or if the company vehicle that they drive does not have an up to date MOT certificate.

Superintendent Mark Bird, of the Metropolitan Police Traffic Unit, said:

“Just as employers would make sure that employees are safe in the workplace so they should while they are on the road. Businesses must face up to their duty of care responsibilities and realise that they are responsible for employees’ welfare when on the road for business purposes, whether they are driving a company car or not.”

COMMENT:-

Do not assume that these statistics relate only to a road accident caused by truck drivers and the like, as they form just a part of the total “workers” on the road. Long periods of travel after intense business meetings can cause acute tiredness and which can lead to lack of attention when driving that might result in road related work accident. If employers put too much pressure on their employees they could find themselves liable for a personal injury claim in the civil Courts as well as under criminal law.

PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM SOLICITORS:-

If you have suffered any form of injury caused by a road accident, contact personal injury specialists Hinchliffes Solicitors for immediate legal advice, to find out if you are entitled to make claims for injury compensation.

Call now on 0800 138 1348 to speak direct to a personal injury lawyer or go to our Start Your Claim Now page to submit details of your personal injury claim online.