IAM Fleet and Drive & Survive welcome speed limit consultation

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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

16 December 2009

IAM Fleet and Drive & Survive welcomes the government consultation on speed limits, which was announced today.

Neil Greig, IAM Director of Policy and Research, said: “Most road accidents are caused by drivers making mistakes at speeds below the speed limit, and it would be naive to assume a speed limit reduction alone will totally remove all deaths and injuries from our roads. Better driving standards and road awareness as well as improvements in road engineering would make the most sustainable differences.”

There have been over 2,500 deaths on the road in the last year, 1 in 3 of those deaths is somebody driving to or for work. IAM Fleet and Drive & Survive urge employers to educate their employees on driving safety. Even though there’ s been some progress in vehicle engineering and road design, driver behaviour is a key factor in causation of road deaths.

Mr Greig continues: “Driving behaviour encompasses many different facets including attitude, perception, skills levels, knowledge, and experience. These all need to be addressed when it comes to reducing business driver risk. Employers have a duty of care to their employees to be aware of the wider behavioural issues that can lead to them being involved in a collision.”

Many business drivers are driving long hours, which increase the risk of a collision due to tiredness and lack of concentration. Drivers need to understand the need to adapt their driving to the circumstances they are in. Employers should take steps through driver risk assessment and training to ensure there are safer business drivers on the road.

IAM Fleet and Drive & Survive supports clear guidance to Councils which gives them the flexibility to implement local solutions for local road safety problems.

ENDS

 

Media contacts:

IAM Fleet and Drive & Survive Press Office – 020 8996 9777

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iam.org.uk

ENDS ALL

  1. The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) directly influences the driving and riding of more than 100,000 full members in the UK and Ireland. Established in 1956, the IAM is today best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving course, which is available to car, motorcycle and commercial licence holders. The IAM has grown to become the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to raising driving standards, engaging with the road-using public and influencing road safety policy. The commercial division of the IAM operates through occupational driver training companies IAM Fleet UK and Drive & Survive.
  2. A 2006 report by Brunel University, following an 18 month study, concluded that “advanced driver training produces safer drivers and lower accident involvement”, with measurable improvements in knowledge, skills and attitude.
  3. In January 2007, the IAM Motoring Trust was established as the Policy and Research Division to undertake research, promote practical policies, act as an advocate for safer roads, safer drivers and safer vehicles and encourage responsible motoring through education and training.