COMPANY car drivers spend a staggering 25 days a year on the road as part of their jobs, new research suggests.

On average, they spend 13 hours a week behind the wheels of their cars, with men driving more than women, an average of 14.5 hours a week.

Overall, 20% of motorists, or 6.5 million people, drive as part of their job. Three-quarters are full-time employees, while 12% are self-employed and 7% part-time.

Managers, professionals and academics are most likely to drive on business.

The research was conducted by Zurich Risk Services, which is now urging fleet managers to enforce safe driving to help reduce collisions and manage the cost of insurance.

Respondents to the survey also showed a range of concerns among motorists. Some 35% said their biggest worry was getting to their destination on time, while 21% said they worried about having an accident.

Other concerns included being caught speeding, breaking down or driving in extreme weather.

Andy Price, practice leader for motor fleet at Zurich Risk Services, said: ‘It’s surprising to see just how much time we spend on the road as part of our jobs. A chief concern among business motorists is getting to their destination on time and that can be a cause of stress, leading to speeding or not taking enough breaks.

‘This in turn can lead to tiredness, which can cause collisions. It’s vital that fleet managers work to create a work-related driving culture that puts safety first.’

Zurich advises motorists to follow some simple rules to improve safety. They include getting a good night’s sleep and setting a realistic route schedule. A poor driving position will tire motorists more quickly, as will driving for more than two hours at a time.

Keeping the windscreen clean and having regular eye tests also helps and drivers should avoid driving at night, during the early hours of the morning, and between 2pm and 4pm, when the body naturally wants to sleep.