Duty of Care Facts

Road Safety Authority statistics show that between 1997 and 2007, 2006 people were killed and 443 were seriously injured in collisions involving at least one vehicle in which someone was traveling to or from work, whilst driving for work. Studies show that people who drive company cars have 30% to 40% more collisions than ordinary drivers, and the risk increases for those who drive more than 40,000 kilometers a year.

A 2007 RSA/HSA report found that, in one pilot area, the number of work related deaths from road collisions was double that from other causes, whilst more than one third of fatal road collisions involved someone who was at work at the time.

A 2008 HSA research survey found that among employers, there was a lack of awareness of their duties to manage work-related driving activities.

Health and safety law requires you to put the proper measures in place to protect the safety of all employees. You must manage your employees’ road safety, as well as giving an overview of key definitions, legislation and risk areas.  If these procedures are carried out it will highlight the significant benefits for your business and the wider community when you manage work-related vehicle safety more efficiently.

Road Safety Law

Although a driver is mainly responsible for how they drive, as an employer you also have a key role to play in managing and influencing the driver, the use of their vehicle and their journey to increase safety when driving for work.  Driving for work (DFW) is a shared responsibility between you and your employee.

Statistics given by the RSA show the risks involved

Three main types of law apply to driving for work in Ireland

1. Road traffic law
2. Health and Safety Law
3. EU rules on driving time.