Research highlights lack of drink-driving education

SOME BUSINESSES are putting other motorists’ lives at risk on the roads by failing to ensure their drivers are fully aware of the dangers of drink-driving, according to new research.

Worryingly, the survey, conducted by the UK’s leading road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, revealed a careless approach in the festive period, when there is typically a spike in drink-driving offences.​[1]​ With more than half (59%) of businesses expecting some of their employees to drive for work the day after their Christmas party, the chance of a drink-driving incident occurring is considerably higher.

Despite the risk, only one in five (19%) companies test their business drivers for alcohol in their system daily over the festive period. On top of this, almost half (48%) of firms fail to provide any drink-driving awareness training to staff at this time of year, with 35% waiting until a drink-driving incident has occurred before taking any action.

The survey included 250 HR directors and business owners at UK small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that employ people who drive as part of their job. It found more than half (52%) of firms had experienced a drink-driving incident at some point over the past three years, with 54% saying the incidents had a damaging effect on their business.

The research also revealed dissatisfaction with existing drink-driving policy and training. A total of 36% of respondents believe their business’s policy could be stronger, while 39% of businesses that conduct in-house drink-driving awareness training are not fully satisfied with their provision.

Third-party courses offer a potential solution. However, only 48% use third-party training, despite 97% of users recommending them. Time (36%) and cost (32%) were identified as the two biggest barriers to investing in training.

Motorists who are caught drink-driving will automatically lose their licence and may end up with a prison sentence and an unlimited fine. The endorsement will remain on their licence for between four and 11 years, and a second offence in ten years will lead to an extended disqualification, all of which can severely impact a person’s career.

Commenting on the findings, Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards at IAM RoadSmart, said: “These results paint a very worrying picture of existing attitudes towards drink-driving awareness among some SMEs across the UK. It would seem many businesses are failing to properly educate drivers or even test them for alcohol, particularly during the festive season when drink drive occurrences rise.  

“Not only is drink-driving a significant danger to business drivers and other road users, but it can also inflict serious reputational harm on firms and cause their repair costs and insurance premiums to soar. Companies should switch from a reactive to a proactive stance, taking steps to ensure drivers are aware of the risks and, in doing so, minimise the chance of an incident occurring. Businesses should also consider ways to reduce the risks associated with the office Christmas party, such as throwing it at the end of the week when employees don’t need to drive the next day; offering accommodation or transport; or putting on an alcohol-free bash.

“IAM RoadSmart completely understands that time is a significant factor for SMEs when it comes to investing in training. Our Fitness to Drive Toolbox Talk, is designed to relieve the burden on firms to provide this training first-hand, giving business drivers access to expert-led sessions that help reduce the risks of drink-driving incidents before they happen. While investing in training naturally increases upfront costs for firms, this pales in comparison to the potential expense – human, financial and reputational – drink-driving incidents can inflict on businesses.”

^{Reference
1] https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/nearly-60-000-drink-and-drug-tests-conducted-in-seasonal-roads-policing-crackdown}