Employers are being urged to take a zero-tolerance approach to at-work drink and drug-driving by Brake.

The hard-line stance is being advocated after the road safety charity and the Licence Bureau survey found fewer than half (44%) of employers would dismiss an employee for driving over the legal alcohol limit.

The survey also revealed that more than half never test employees for alcohol (55%) or drugs (57%).

Laura Woods, research and information officer at Brake, said: "It is desperately worrying that so many employers are lacking the tough approach needed to tackle drink and drug driving at work.

“We're appealing to all employers with staff who drive for work to ensure their drivers know the risks, know the rules, and know that breaking the rules will not be tolerated.”

The survey suggested that six in 10 (62%) employers take disciplinary action against employees found to have any amount of alcohol or illegal drugs in their system at work, but only three-in-10 (30%) would dismiss employees for this.

In addition, fewer than half (47%) educate drivers on the risks of drug-driving, and only slightly more (50%) educate drivers on the risks of drink-driving.

Les Owen, from the Licence Bureau, said: "Too many companies bury their head in the sand about road risk management, but this is not helping their business nor making our roads safer.

“Companies have a responsibility to manage the at-work safety of staff who drive.”

For the full survey results and analysis, see this week’s Fleet News.

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