MORE than half of all firms have done nothing to educate and train drivers about work-related road risks, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has claimed.

A study of 1,000 motorists by the IAM found that 53% said they had never received information or training from employers.

Seven out of 10 said their employers neither offered nor required medical check-ups, a driver risk assessment or training on basic vehicle safety checks. And six out of 10 said they had not been offered, or been required to take, a basic eyesight test.

The IAM said it was a frightening indication of some employers’ lack of concern for employees who drive for work.The survey also indicated that only a quarter of employers checked whether a private car was insured for business use or, if over three years old, whether it had a valid MoT.

And only 54% of firms periodically checked the validity of their employees’ driving licences. Almost half of all employees said work pressures led them to break the speed limit or use a hand-held mobile phone while on the move. One in four firms had no policy on mobile phone use and only one in eight had a policy banning the use of phones while driving.

IAM chief executive Christopher Bullock said: ‘We are shocked by the scale of these findings.

‘Too many employers think their responsibility for employees when they are at work ends at the front door or the factory gate. Employers who fail to look after staff who are out on the road risk accidents that can result in employees being killed. Quite apart from being irresponsible, it is bad for their business.’

Bullock has written to transport minister Stephen Ladyman calling for action.

He said: ‘We want to work with the Government to tackle this important issue. More employees should recognise the risks they take for their employers and more employers should recognise where some of the greatest danger to their employees lies.’