Traffic causes stress and missed meetings

Employers are being told the appalling traffic conditions on Britain’s roads are causing car and van drivers increasing levels of stress and lost working hours spent in delays and missing meetings.

This message comes from Fleet NewsNet, analysing the findings of a new RAC Report on motoring in 2002. The RAC calculates that congestion now adds 40% to commuter times to and from the workplace, with 30% of drivers questioned saying they are late for meetings and 15% suffering from stress and anger.

There is a damaging effect on business efficiency, and employers should be switched on to health and safety concerns for employees who drive as part of their job, particularly those higher mileage drivers. According to ROSPA, high risk occupations include night-shift workers, airline crew, commercial drivers, medical staff, sales representatives and journalists.

The recent Selby rail crash case, where a driver fell asleep while driving and drove off the motorway onto the railway track, has put the issue of hours spent at the wheel high up on the agenda for safety organisations and the government. As previously reported by the Workplacelaw Network, legislation to force employers to give drivers basic training has been circulated at government level.
This document is for general guidance and research purposes only, and does not purport to give professional advice. Please check the date at the top of the article; the Workplace Law Network retains historic articles for general research.