The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has conducted a survey that reveals driver training improves the health and safety of motorists.
But almost three quarters of people who drive as a part of their job have never been offered it.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists’ (IAM) Drive & Survive poll indicates that 72% of employed adults who drive have never been given the possibility of training and 44% would do it if the chance arose.
A tiny 3% of the poll participants say they have had the opportunity for extra driving lessons but had decided against it.
Most of the respondents think the Highway Code would be the most useful refresher course (29%) while 19% would prefer lessons on saving fuel.
Some 17% would like to learn how to stick to speed limits and 14% would like extra help in parking and manoeuvring vehicles.
Close to a half of the people who took part in the poll are not interested in taking part in driver training sessions, as they don’t think they need it or they don’t have the time to take them.
But research suggests they would be wise to take extra lessons as around a third of all road accidents causing death or serious injury involve people driving for work.
It is also a good idea for employers to strongly suggest their workers take lessons, as they have to protect them by law.
They risk corporate manslaughter for serious breaches of their duty of care and driving for work is included in the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007.
