Women 'missing out' on driving help

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Employers may be failing to provide female staff with the same levels of driver training offered to male workers, a new survey has found.

According to the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists), only 22 percent of women who drive to work or use cars during their job are given driver training compared with 94 percent of men.

The report said the difference may be largely due to the fact that, statistically, women seem to be safer drivers and less of a car insurance risk than men, although the survey found only 47 percent of female workers polled felt fully confident behind the wheel.

Figures from the Department for Transport show 530 females were involved in KSI (killed or seriously injured) accidents in 2007, compared with 1,640 men.

Simon Elstow, from IAM Drive & Survive, said: "We know that women have fewer KSIs, but they are most vulnerable at junctions and are involved in more low-speed accidents, which can result in hefty costs to employers. We would encourage female drivers to speak up at work and request driver training as part of the employer's duty of care.

"We encourage businesses to offer driver training and assessment to all their employees as best practice and a duty of care. Employers have a responsibility to take all reasonable steps to lower the risks to employees when behind the wheel."

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