The Map Magazine

In wake of an extremely wet November and the consequent risky driving conditions in different parts of the country this year, a law firm has urged employers to rework their driving policies this time.

Penningtons Solicitors LLP has pointed out that employees on their way to work are subject of almost 33% of the fatal accidents that occur on roads.

According to Philippa Luscombe from the firm, unsafe driving injures more than 200 and kills almost 20 people every week. This data is only for people who meet with road accidents while driving to work or for work-related task. These statistics are to remind the employers of their duty towards ensuring safety of the employee in the course of his employment. If they fail in this regard, they can face a personal injury claim or be tried under Corporate Manslaughter Act, 2007.

It is essential for the employers to make sure that their health and safety policy has a component/feature of driving policy as well. Employers should also take the pains to make employees realize that the senior management considers this issue to be a serious one and that it expects all the employees to drive to work with abundant caution.

According to Luscombe, safe driving entails a number of other benefits as well. In fact, employees driving safely and sensibly can decrease the costs of wear and tear and decrease the insurance premiums for the vehicle, as well as employer’s insurance liability. Safe driving will also save a lot of time that would have been otherwise spent in addressing cases of accidents and subsequent investigations. A good driving policy can also address the problem of sick leaves due to accidents.

The Health and Safety Policy is a key factor of any organisations health and safety management system; Workplace Law’s health and safety policy documentation can assist organisations in implementing their own policies to comply with relevant legislation and to help define key health and safety roles and responsibilities of staff in the workplace.