It has been estimated that up to a third of all road traffic accidents involve somebody who is at work at the time. This may account for over 20 fatalities and 250 serious injuries every week. Some employers believe, incorrectly, that provided they comply with certain road traffic law requirements, eg company vehicles have a valid MOT certificate, and that drivers hold a valid licence, this is enough to ensure the safety of their employees, and others, when they are on the road. However, health and safety law applies to on-the-road work activities as to all work activities, and the risks should be effectively managed within a health and safety management system.

Many incidents happen due to inattention and distraction as well as failure to observe the Highway Code. The law applies to any employer, manager or supervisor with staff who drive, ride a motorcycle or bicycle at work, and in particularly those with responsibility for fleet management.

It also applies to self-employed people.
This information covers people: whose main job is driving, and those who drive or ride occasionally or for short distances.
References to drivers and driving include riders and riding.
This information suggests ways to manage the risk to drivers' health and safety.

Companies with large goods vehicles (LGV) or passenger service vehicles (PSV) may also be subject to specific legislative requirements that take precedence over the general advice given here.

Are you satisfied that your drivers are sufficiently fit and healthy to drive safely and not put themselves or others at risk?

Although there is no legal requirement, should those at-work drivers who are most at risk, also undergo regular medicals?

Should staff that drive at work be reminded that they must be able satisfy the eyesight requirements set out in the Highway Code1?

Have you told staff that they should not drive, or undertake other duties, while taking a course of medicine that might impair their judgement? In cases of doubt they should seek the view of their GP.

Further Information

Further information about Driving At Work and road safety can be found at the following Webpage Link:  HSE Webpage - Drivng at Work

Further information about Managing Work-Related Road Safety can be found at the following Web Link: HSE Publication - INDG382