Companies are being urged to consider the risks that employees face while driving to and from work, as a result of new research commissioned by AA DriveTech.

David Richards, head of marketing at AA DriveTech, will be presenting the research findings into when, where and how crashes occur on the way to and from work at a free-to-attend best practice workshop at Fleet News's major new event Fleet Management Live, which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham on October 6 and 7.

The research, undertaken by Road Safety Analysis, explores how drivers of different vehicle types are involved in injury collisions on journeys to and from work by analysing the latest Department for Transport statistics.

Comparing commuters with all crash-involved vehicles provides an insight for employers into ways to help protect their workforce before and after they clock on.

Distinct patterns have been identified which can be used in staff education and training. These insights can potentially reduce staff absences caused by road injuries and facilitate an adoption of good practice which can be used for both commuting and at-work journeys.

This research complements the analysis that AA DriveTech published in 2014 looking at where and when at-work drivers are at most risk of collisions.

Richards said: “A lot of companies rightly focus on at-work drivers when managing risk but we believe that businesses should, from a corporate and social responsibility standpoint, take a more holistic view and also consider the risks that drivers face while travelling to and from work.

“This may not be part of a company’s legal responsibilities but responsible employers that want to ensure the health and safety of their staff can invest in appropriate and targeted training so that their entire workforce is safe on the roads.

“With regards to at-work car drivers, companies need to pay particular attention to driver fatigue, distraction and junctions as research we conducted last year showed that working car drivers are more likely to be involved in those type of crashes.

“Working car drivers are also more likely to be involved in crashes, compared with the majority of road users, between 6am and 9am and on rural roads but less likely to be involved in crashes due to substance impairment or poor speed choice.”

The best practice workshop will consider the areas for training that companies can adopt to manage risk for different types of drivers through e-learning, workshops and on-the-road training.

To find out more about Fleet Management Live or to register for your free ticket, visit www.fleetmanagementlive.co.uk.