Safe Driving for Work: Driver Safety Tips and Lone Worker Protection

Safe Driving for Employees: Tips, Risk Management, and Lone Worker Safety Tools

Driving for work comes with risks, but with a strong driver safety policy, proactive training, and lone worker safety devices, employers can reduce incidents and protect mobile staff. This guide covers key tips and technology to support your fleet or travelling employees.

With over 1,500 road deaths reported annually in the UK, businesses and individuals must adopt best practices, implement a driving at work policy, and consider driver safety devices to protect their people on the road.

Safe driving is an essential skill for anyone who spends time on the road, whether for work or personal purposes. According to the Department for Transport (DfT), road traffic accidents are a leading cause of death and injury in the United Kingdom.

In 2021, there were 1,558 reported road deaths in Great Britain and around 27,450 serious injuries. These figures represent a slight decrease from the previous year, but road safety is still a significant concern in the UK.

Common Driving Risks: Human, Vehicle, and Environmental Factors

There are three main elements of risk while driving: human factors, vehicle factors, and environmental factors:

1. Human factors refer to the driver's physical and mental state, such as fatigue, distraction, or impairment.
   
   
2. Vehicle factors refer to the condition of the vehicle, such as faulty brakes or tires.
   
   
3. Environmental factors refer to the road and weather conditions, such as construction or inclement weather.

These should be reviewed as part of any driving risk assessment conducted by employers or H&S managers.

Safe Driving Tips for Employees Driving for Work

Whether you’re a professional driver or you regularly travel for work, it is your responsibility to consider the risks and ensure the safety of yourself, your passengers, and other road users. Here are some helpful tips:

1. Follow all traffic laws and regulations: This includes obeying speed limits, using indicators, and coming to a complete stop at stop signs and red lights.
   
   
2. Stay alert and focused: Avoid distractions such as texting, eating, or adjusting the radio while driving. Instead, focus on the road and your surroundings.
   
   
3. Wear your seatbelt: Seatbelts are one of the most effective safety features in a vehicle. Make sure to always wear your seatbelt and encourage your passengers to do the same.
   
   
4. Take breaks: If you are driving long distances, it is important to take regular breaks to rest and stretch. This can help reduce the risk of fatigue, which can impair your driving ability.
   
   
5. Plan your route: Before starting your trip, plan your route, check for any potential hazards or obstructions, and check the traffic reports. This can help you avoid any unexpected delays or detours.
   
   
6. Keep your vehicle well-maintained: Regular maintenance is important for the safety of your vehicle. Make sure to keep your tires properly inflated, your brakes in good condition, and your vehicle serviced according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
   
   
7. Stay abreast of the weather: Check the weather forecast before travelling. In bad weather, allow extra time, and consider whether you need extra warm clothing, food and drink, a shovel and a torch, for example.

By following this checklist, you can help ensure the safety of yourself and others on the road. These employee road safety tips can be added to your company’s driver safety handbook or incorporated into an internal fleet driver safety policy.

Lone Worker Driving Safety: Tips for Staying Safe on the Road

Lone working drivers, or those who work and drive without the presence of a coworker or supervisor, may face unique challenges when it comes to safe driving because there’s no one available to support them should an incident happen.

Bus, taxi and lorry drivers are often classed as lone workers because they typically work independently without the presence of a supervisor or co-worker. However, lone drivers also include delivery drivers, people driving alone to meetings, or anyone else who’s driving from A to B for work purposes.

Here are some additional safety tips for lone working drivers to consider:

1. Let someone know your route and schedule: It is important to let someone know your route and expected arrival time when you are working alone. This can provide an added level of security in case of an emergency or unexpected delay.
   
   
2. Stay in regular contact with a colleague: Make sure to stay in touch with your dispatcher, supervisor, or other colleagues, particularly when driving long distances. This can provide an additional level of reassurance.
   
   
3. Use technology to stay safe: Use a lone worker alarm or personal safety application to ensure you can quickly and easily call or help in an emergency. At the press of a button, SoloProtect operators can be listening in to the incident, locate the device or phone and quickly request a level 1 police response or send an ambulance or fire engine to where it’s needed.
   
   
4. Stay aware of your surroundings: It is important to always stay aware of your surroundings, especially when driving alone. This includes paying attention to other vehicles, pedestrians, and any potential hazards on the road.

Use a GPS-enabled lone worker safety device or mobile app with man down alert functionality to get immediate assistance in the event of a crash or health emergency.

Creating a Driving at Work Policy: Employer Responsibilities & Safety Guidelines

Road safety is an important concern for all employees who drive for work purposes. Employers have a responsibility to ensure their employees have the necessary training and resources to drive safely, and to establish policies and procedures to minimise the risk of accidents. This may include providing driver safety training, conducting regular vehicle maintenance checks, and setting clear guidelines for safe driving practices.

A Driving at Work Policy is a set of guidelines and rules that outline the expectations and responsibilities of employees who drive for work purposes. This type of policy is typically developed by an employer to ensure the safety of employees and other road users, as well as to protect the company's assets.

A Driving at Work Policy may include the following elements:

Having a clear Driving at Work Policy can help ensure the safety of employees and other road users, and can also protect the company from liability in case of an accident. It is important for all employees who drive for work purposes to familiarise themselves with the policy and adhere to its guidelines. A Lone Working Policy and comprehensive Lone Worker Risk Assessment are also important for those who drive alone.

A clear company driving policy supports your legal duty of care and helps prevent road traffic incidents. It should include rules around vehicle checks, break periods, driver fatigue, and the use of safety tech like panic alarms or GPS tracking.

Further information

You can find out more on our Lone Worker Security for Transport and Logistics page.

Want to protect lone drivers in your organisation? Contact SoloProtect to learn how our lone worker safety solutions and personal safety devices for drivers can support your team and reinforce your driving at work policy.