Business drivers ‘high on drink and drugs’

One in 10 employees, who drive as part of their job, regularly get behind the wheel while under the influence of drink or drugs, new research suggests.

The study of more than 1,000 drivers, conducted by the research consultancy Opinium for mobile workforce technology company BigChange and published as part of the Leaders for Life road safety campaign.

It revealed that one in 10 people who drive for work in the UK do so after consuming alcohol or illegal drugs at least once a week, while 3% of those who drive for work said that they drive under the influence of drink or drugs every day.

BigChange’s research also reveals that younger drivers are the worst culprits for drink or drug driving, with a quarter (25%) of 18-34 year olds admitting to doing so every week and 10% every day.

Geographically, London come out as the worst place for driving under the influence, with one in four (26%) people who drive for work doing so each week.

As the Christmas party season gets into full swing, Martin Port, the road safety campaigner and CEO of BigChange, urges business leaders to take the steps necessary to minimise the risk to their people and the public.

He said: “Any driver who takes to the wheel under the influence of drink or drugs creates unacceptable levels of risk to the public, and our research suggests that more than 2 million people who are trusted to drive as part of their jobs are putting lives on the line by doing this every week.

“With the added risk of Christmas party season upon us, business leaders must take sensible steps to ensure they’re not inadvertently making it more likely that their people are taking to the roads while under the influence.”