A gap analysis of work-related road safety in the UK: Working towards a national standard

According to official road safety statistics, many hundreds of fatalities and many thousands of serious injuries result each year in Great Britain from road collisions in which someone is driving for work.

In the absence of a national standard for the management of work-related road risk, this project addresses two questions. First, what should a standard look like? Second, what role should the Police play in its development and use?

Interviews were held with 30 stakeholders (including 10 fleet managers) to explore these questions. Existing templates for the management of work-related road risk were also reviewed.

Findings showed that work-related road safety is perceived as in need of improvement. There is appetite for the consistency that a national standard could bring. Key components for the standard are suggested, including the importance of having guidance on practical measures to reduce risks, as well as guidance on risk management processes modelled on the health and safety approach.

Two possible mechanisms by which a national standard might be developed are suggested; either a standalone standard should be developed, or a practical guidance document (possibly an Approved Code of Practice published by the HSE) should be developed to support the forthcoming ISO 39001.

A key role for the Police in supporting work-related road safety in the future will be in enabling information about driving offences committed while driving for work being made available to employers. In addition, the Police have the credibility and respect to engage in wide dissemination relating to the standard, and to work-related road safety in general.