Third of drivers fail to take a break

More than a third of commercial drivers are not taking breaks from driving due to the pressures of work.

That is the shock finding of a new survey that has also revealed many more drivers are not conducting important checks on their vehicles to ensure they are roadworthy.

The study found that nearly 85% of drivers are not conducting regular checks of tyre pressures, oil levels, water levels and lights.

The survey of more than 200 drivers revealed that a third of drivers never stop for a break – mainly because they say they are under so much pressure to get to their next appointment.

Graham Hurdle, managing director of the company behind the research, E-Training World, said that it is a startling statistic to consider that so many car drivers on UK roads are ignoring the need to rest properly.

He said as for vehicle checks, due to the technology built into modern cars, drivers probably think that if a warning light doesn’t appear on the dashboard, the car doesn’t need checking.

However, company directors should take heed that if the company handbook does not stipulate regular safety checks, and a driver has a blameworthy accident as a result of a worn tyre or the inability to see properly due to there being no water in the windscreen washer, they could be liable.