Cardinus Risk Management, the newly formed group offering end-to-end risk management services in fleet, office ergonomics, fire and property risk, is backing Road Safety Week’s ’Not A Drop-Not A Drag’ focus on the serious issues of drink and drugs behind the wheel and endorsing the message from the organisers, road safety charity Brake, for companies to do more in getting the message across to staff about the dangers.
In 2007, more than 15,900 people in the UK were killed or hurt by drink and drug-drivers, with one in six deaths being caused by drivers over the legal alcohol limit. Research by the Transport Research Laboratory found that almost one in five of drivers who die in road crashes have traces of illegal drugs in their system that may have affected their driving.
Marcus Noble, Managing Director of Cardinus Fleet: “We fully support Brake’s efforts to raise awareness of the problems of drink and drug driving.
“Companies should ensure that they have clear anti-drink and drug driving clauses within their work-related road safety policy that clearly spell out the consequences of contravening company policy.
“And it’s not just company policy employees need to think about. There are harsh legal penalties and a criminal record to consider, too. If you kill someone after drink or dug driving, you could face 14 years in prison for the offence of causing death by careless driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“Even if you don’t kill someone but are caught, you could face six months in prison, a one year ban and a £5,000 fine.
“Companies need to have clear policies in place to ensure employees are left in no doubt of the consequences,” he added.
Brake spokesman, Katie Shephard, said: “Road Safety Week, from November 23-29, is a fantastic opportunity for companies to support a national campaign to help raise awareness of important and life saving road safety messages whilst raising their own profile amongst staff, customers and the general public alike.
“This year, Brake is calling on all drivers to commit to not drink even a drop of alcohol before driving, nor take any other illegal drug. We are also calling on communities to inform the police of known drunk and drugged drivers and help save a life.”
Companies can get involved by ordering a free Road Safety Week action pack, which includes ideas on how to take part in Road Safety, by calling Brake on 01484 559909 with the code: ‘road safety week company action pack’. The pack was made possible by funding from the Department for Transport and technology company 3M
Cardinus Risk Management was recently formed by the merger of fleet risk solutions provider Active Risk Management with ergonomics specialist Cardinus and property risk expert Property Risk Management, creating a new risk ‘supergroup’ capable of delivering risk management solutions across three separate market areas.