Cardinus supports Road Safety Week focus on drink and drugs |
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| Cardinus Risk Management is backing this year’s Road Safety Week, which is focusing on the theme of drinks and drugs, and endorsing the message from the organisers, road safety charity Brake, for companies to do more in getting the message across to staff about the dangers of driving under the influence of either.
In 2007, more than 15,900 people in the UK were killed or hurt by drink and drug-drivers, with one in six deaths being caused by drivers over the legal alcohol limit. In the UK, 478 people were killed by drivers over the drink-drive limit in 2007. Research by the Transport Research Laboratory suggests that similar numbers of deaths may be due to illegal drug drivers. Researchers at TRL found that almost one in five of drivers who die in road crashes have traces of illegal drugs in their system that may have affected their driving. Marcus Noble, Managing Director of Cardinus Risk Management: “We fully support Brake’s efforts to raise awareness of the problems of drink and drug driving. “Companies should ensure that they have clear anti-drink and drug driving clauses within their work-related road safety policy that clearly spell out the consequences of contravening company policy. “And it’s not just company policy employees need to think about. There are harsh legal penalties and a criminal record to consider, too. If you kill someone after drink or dug driving, you could face 14 years in prison for the offence of causing death by careless driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. “Even if you don’t kill someone but are caught, you could face six months in prison, a one year ban and a £5,000 fine. “Companies need to have clear policies in place to ensure employees are left in no doubt of the consequences,” he added. Brake spokesman, Katie Shephard, said: “Road Safety Week, from November 23-29, is a fantastic opportunity for companies to support a national campaign to help raise awareness of important and life saving road safety messages whilst raising their own profile amongst staff, customers and the general public alike. “This year, Brake is calling on all drivers to commit to not drink even a drop of alcohol before driving, nor take any other illegal drug. We are also calling on communities to inform the police of known drunk and drugged drivers and help save a life.” Companies can get involved by ordering a free Road Safety Week action pack, made possible by funding from the Department for Transport and technology company 3M, by calling Brake on 01484 559909 with the code: ‘road safety week company action pack’. For more information about Road Safety Week or constructing a work-related road safety policy Cardinus Risk Management, please call on 01733 426006 or email info@cardinus.com |
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