Edinburgh Napier University

  Work-related road accidents account for around 25-33% of all road fatalities in Britain and in the region of 250 serious injuries per week. Previous studies show that those who drive for work have a higher accident risk than the general driving population even when their greater exposure is factored out.
Quantitative and qualitative data was collected from Strathclyde drivers who drive as part of their work. The data show that drivers who have points on their licence or have recently received a speeding ticket are more likely to have been involved in a road traffic accident and these accidents are more likely to have occurred during work time. This confirms the theory that cameras spot crash magnets and illustrates the importance of educating those who drive as part of their work, in particular, to slow down. This paper also examines why occupational drivers are vulnerable on the roads by giving an insight into their attitudes and motives surrounding the driving task.
A greater understanding of the beliefs and behaviours of drivers who are at risk of being involved in a third of road traffic accidents should serve to inform more effective road safety policies. With the possible advent of a graduated penalty system, attitudes to the current points and fine system will be of interest in a group the security of whose livelihood is most likely to be impacted by such changes.