Road safety experts have launched a new campaign to highlight the risks of driving for work, backed by a free toolkit with advice and solutions.

ScORSA’s toolkit is a critical resource for reducing work-related road accidents

Run by the Scottish Occupational Road Safety Alliance (ScORSA), the initiative aims to raise awareness of the dangers of work-related driving, especially the ‘fatal four’: distraction, drink or drug misuse, speeding and not wearing a seatbelt.

The campaign also promotes the free help and advice that employers – and employees – can get from ScORSA to reduce the risks of driving for work. And it encourages employers to consider the health and safety of all employees who drive for work (including the grey fleet) as part of their wider approach to health and safety at work.

While many employers do not see occupational road risk as a mainstream health and safety issue, driving is one of the most dangerous work activities. Nearly one in three fatal and serious road traffic accidents involve somebody who is driving for work.

Moreover, drivers covering more than 25,000 miles a year as part of their job face a risk of being killed at work that’s similar to that of construction workers or those working in quarrying.

To help bring these risks under control, ScORSA is encouraging employers to sign up as members and download a free toolkit, which features advice about how to keep workers safe while driving and to start the conversation in the workplace, along with example social media content and case studies.

Karen McDonnell, occupational health and safety policy adviser at ScORSA, said: “Improving the safety of workers driving as part of their job not only reduces health and safety risks for employees, but it also makes sound business sense.

“With the cost of living and fuel prices rapidly rising, ScORSA’s toolkit is a critical resource for reducing work-related road accidents as well as saving time and money on staff absences, lost productivity, and reputational damage.”

Membership for ScORSA is free and open to all organisations. Visit www.scorsa.org.uk to join up or email [email protected] for more information.