Business drivers 'most at risk in clear weather'

Date: 12/6/2012

Driving rain or snowy conditions can easily block a motorist's view and potentially lead to an accident. However, new research has shown certain road users could find themselves more likely to be involved in an incident on clearer days.

Conducted by Total Accident Management, a study looked into collisions involving drivers with high mileage company vehicles. Between April 2011 and May 2012, it was discovered 53 per cent of these were in an accident on a clear day.

Just four per cent of respondents reported incidents during bad weather conditions such as rain, snow or sleet, which demonstrates a different trend to that seen among individuals who drive their own cars.

This could be because people's concentration levels fall when travelling on a clear day when they do not feel there is as much to worry about, compared with wet weather days when they know they need to take precautions and drive slower.

Furthermore, the collision rates of business motorists were 30 to 40 per cent greater than private drivers.

Operations Manager at Total Accident Management Amanda Mullans said: "If companies and their drivers can be made more aware of how different road types, weather conditions and other external factors [impact] on driving safety, I am sure employers would ensure their employees take appropriate care when driving on company business."

Her firm collects data at regular intervals to build up a picture of how external factors and seasonality impact on accidents.

Assessing the location of many incidents, the research discovered 20 per cent occurred on major A-roads, while 11 per cent were on B-roads and nine per cent were on minor A-roads.

It was revealed motorways are safer than other types of routes, as just 2.27 per cent of accidents took place on these stretches of road.

Many business drivers could also be tempted to use their mobile phone while driving if they receive important calls when on the road. However, this could also increase their chances of being involved in an accident, as their reaction times are 50 per cent slower, GEM Motoring Assist recently pointed out.

Posted by Sarah Bailey