Almost a third (31%) of those driving for work believe driving after using Class A drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy is acceptable, compared to 5% of non-company car drivers, new research suggests.
The survey of more than 2,000 drivers, by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, also revealed that more than a quarter (26%) felt it was acceptable to drive when they may have drunk too much alcohol, and 24% would drive after using cannabis.
In both cases, only 5% of non-company car drivers felt it was acceptable.
Highlighting the differences between motorists driving for work and non-company car drivers, IAM RoadSmart’s Driving Safety Culture Report found more than one-in-five company car drivers (21%) had regularly or often ignored a red light within a 30-day window compared to 3% of other drivers.
The research also found that the same proportion (21%) of at-work drivers often read a text or email whilst driving compared to 3% of other drivers.
Even more dangerously, almost one-in-five (19%) said they often typed or sent a text while driving, compared to just 2% of non-company car drivers.
The latest figures from the Department for Transport (DfT) revealed up to a third of all road incidents involve someone who is at work at the time, this could account for over 20 fatalities and 250 serious injuries every week.
Neil Greig, director of policy and research at IAM RoadSmart, said: “It is incredibly concerning that this latest research shows we still have far too many drivers who don’t understand the dangers of driving under the influence of either drugs or alcohol, and not acknowledging the danger they pose to themselves.
“By choosing to ignore key safety features like red lights or even using social media whilst driving, you are putting yourself at much higher risk of being involved in a crash.
“With a third of all incidents involving people driving for work on UK roads, businesses also need to hold themselves accountable for the responsibility they play in keeping their workers and other road users safe.”
IAM RoadSmart is calling on all fleet managers to adopt best practices such as checking licences, monitoring driver performance, and offering coaching to their most high-risk drivers.
“Not only will this save lives but also bring a direct benefit to the profitability and competitiveness of hard-pressed UK plc,” added Greig.
More articles on:
In this report
How to excel in the new landscape of fleet management
Why the current fleet manager should be mentoring their replacement
Managing a fleet means having a clear understanding of business objectives
How to persuade employees to quit their cars and switch to other transport
Everybody is talking about SDVs and how they could have major fleet benefits.
Read now
Gareth has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist having started his career in local newspapers in the 1990s. Prior to joining Fleet News in 2008, he worked in the public sector as a media advisor and is currently news editor at Fleet News.
TimI - 20/04/2023 11:39
Sometimes you have to question the survey results. I can believe people sending texts, but not driving after taking class A drugs. If nothing else, I doubt a third of company car drivers even take them.