Safe Speed Forums

A quarter of all road deaths in England and Wales last year involved people driving for work, it is claimed.

Safety charity Brake released statistics which show 850 people were killed and 6,102 seriously injured in accidents involving "at-work" drivers.

This is the first time such figures - compiled by the Department for Transport - have become available.

It was not until 2005 that police started to record the journey purpose of vehicles involved in crashes.

Brake has urged companies to use the figures as a "wake-up call" to ensure they assess risks to keep employees safe.

Jools Townsend, from the charity, said: "These figures demonstrate how important it is that, firstly, the government takes corporate responsibility for at-work driving seriously.

"Secondly, all employers should take the life-savings steps of educating employees on safe driving and effectively managing their road risk."

Brake and the Department Of Transport have produced a hard hitting DVD which includes interviews with families bereaved by road crashes involving at-work drivers.

Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman said: "The DVD is an effective resource that fleet managers will find invaluable in raising vital road safety awareness among their drivers."

Brake has urged companies to use the figures as a "wake-up call" to ensure they assess risks to keep employees safe.

So, to put it another way: 'Three-quarters of road deaths involved drivers who were not driving for work-related purposes'.
Thus, if 50% of all mileage covered is for work-related purposes (is this a sensible figure?), then 75% of deaths involve the 50% of mileage not work-related.
Does anyone have the accurate figure for total mileage in the UK broken down into 'work-related' and 'non-work-related'? Surely at least 50% is work-related.

So, to put it another way: 'Three-quarters of road deaths involved drivers who were not driving for work-related purposes'.
Thus, if 50% of all mileage covered is for work-related purposes (is this a sensible figure?), then 75% of deaths involve the 50% of mileage not work-related.
Does anyone have the accurate figure for total mileage in the UK broken down into 'work-related' and 'non-work-related'? Surely at least 50% is work-related.

In this context, "work-related" does not include commuting. Given that, I would say 50% is far too high, probably nearer 20 or 25%.