THE new chief executive of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has issued a blistering attack on companies which fail to take responsibility for the safety of their drivers. Dr John Hooper has wasted no time in addressing the issue of occupational road risk, since taking up his position at the head of RoSPA just four weeks ago.

He called on all employers to treat the injuries and deaths of their drivers as seriously as they take other industrial accidents. RoSPA figures suggest 800 and 1,000 road deaths were connected with people driving for work, and drivers who cover over 25,000 miles per year are more at risk of dying at work than coal miners.

'More than 77,000 employees are injured each year while driving as part of their job,' said Hooper. 'With up to one in seven work-related injuries occurring while people are driving, the business case for action is irrefutable - safe driving is good for business.'

And he called on police and health and safety officials to prosecute employers who fail to take responsibility for drivers' safety. RoSPA will soon publish a code of practice addressing occupational road risk, which it expects to be endorsed by the Health & Safety Executive and the Department of Transport.