SIGNIFICANTLY FEWER DEATHS ON THE ROADS

The latest road casualty figures released by the Department for Transport show that in the year ending June 2020 there were 1,580 reported road deaths. While this figure is only provisional at this stage this is significantly lower than the 1,827 road deaths reported for the previous year and the 1,798 annual average for the period 2010 to 2014.

The figures also show significant reductions in the numbers killed or seriously injured (down 11% to 24,470 from 27,471 the previous year) and all casualties (down 16% to 131,220 from 156,034 the previous year).

While any reduction in road casualties is to be welcomed it is important to note that these falls coincides with a similar reduction in traffic volumes and measures introduced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

If your employees drive as part of their work, it is important that you have robust policies and procedures in place to manage the risk. You will need to take into account the drivers themselves e.g. are they suitably trained and competent, the vehicles they drive e.g. are they correctly maintained and suitable for the task and the journeys that drivers make e.g. do you allow sufficient time, planning for breaks etc.

Please speak to your normal PIB Risk Management contact or get in touch using [email protected]  if you have any questions or would like assistance with developing policies and procedures for managing occupational road risks.

Full details of the latest road casualty figures can be found on the Gov.UK website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-provisional-estimates-year-ending-june-2020