RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

November 28, 2007
BUSINESSES URGED TO PLAY PART IN CUTTING SCOTLAND’S ROAD DEATHS

Latest figures showing a 10 per cent increase in deaths on Scotland’s roads are a reminder to businesses to ensure they are playing their part in trying to reduce the toll, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said today.

Willie Wills, RoSPA Road Safety Manager for Scotland, said: ”Although we welcome the general decline in the number of people injured in road accidents, it is extremely worrying that 314 people were killed last year - 28 more than in 2005.

“Everyone has a part to play in trying to reduce the number of deaths, but it is extremely important that all businesses and organisations with people on the roads for work check they are doing everything possible to keep them safe.

“It is estimated that up to a third of road traffic accidents involve someone who is at work at the time. Employers have a responsibility to manage the risks faced by their employees when driving and also the risk those employees pose to other road users.

“Seventy-three per cent of deaths occurred on rural roads, which are obviously heavily used by business drivers in Scotland. Employers need to consider issues such as training, tackling fatigue and planning safe routes as part of an overall strategy for managing occupational road risk.

“RoSPA has led the way on work-related road safety with specially tailored training and management courses. Fleet managers should check they are adopting best practice so they are confident they are doing all they can to reduce accidents on our roads.”

To find out more about managing occupational road risk see: www.rospa.com/drivertraining/ .

The total number of casualties reported in Scotland in 2006 (including deaths and slight injuries) was 17,267 – three per cent fewer than in 2005 and the lowest figure since 1952.