More than half of all employees (53%) who drive as part of their work say they have never received any training about the risks they face while on the road, according to a survey by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).
Seven out of 10 (70%) say their employers neither offer nor require medical check-ups, a driver risk assessment or training (75%), or training on basic vehicle safety checks (75%).
And almost two-thirds (64%) said their employers have not offered a basic eyesight test.
The research surveyed 1,000 drivers from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Government figures estimate that 1,000 people a year are killed while driving for work – nearly one-third of all road deaths – and another 13,000 are seriously injured.
Christopher Bullock, IAM chief executive, said: “We are shocked by the scale of these findings. Too many employers think their responsibility for employees when they’re at work ends at the front door or the factory gate.”
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Nearly half of employees admit that pressures from their employer or work lead them to break the speed limit (48%) or lose their temper with other motorists (46%). One in five (20%) admits to using a handheld mobile while driving because of work pressure.
The IAM has written to transport minister Stephen Ladyman, recommending that the Department for Transport should provide up to £1.5m over three years to launch a work-related driving safety programme.
