Employers urged to tackle dangerous driving

6:15pm Wednesday 13th February 2008

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BUSINESS bosses in York are being encouraged to help tackle dangerous driving in a special initiative by City of York Council.

Work-related accidents cost about £2.7 billion a year, and a third of all deaths on the road involve a vehicle being used for work purposes.

Employers are being invited to a free breakfast on Thursday next week to hear about safer business driving, as part of the council's "Don't get blood on your hands" campaign, which was launched last year.

Organisations are also being warned to monitor driver fatigue after a firm elsewhere in England was found liable for a road accident in which one of its workers was paralysed.

Mark Eyres was left paralysed by an accident that occurred when he momentarily fell asleep at the wheel. His employers have been found liable for the accident after it was ruled the company had a long hours culture. At the time of the accident Mark had worked a 19-hour day and driven hundreds of miles. He is expected to receive damages of over £1 million.

The business event takes place on Thursday, from 8.20am to 9.30am, at St William's College, York.

Employers wanting to attend can apply at www.york.gov.uk/roadsafety or phone 01904 551331.