Working drivers ‘tailgate more’

Back

Driviers who use their cars for work are more likely to “tailgate” and break speed limits, a road safety charity has said.

Brake said many “at-work drivers” feel so pressurised to get somewhere quickly because of their job that they are putting lives at risk.

The campaign group is calling for a range of measures, such as a hike in the fine for speeding to a £1,000 and six points on a licence.

It found 61% of motorists driving as part of their work admitted not leaving the recommended two-second gap between them and the vehicle in front.

This compared with 40% of other drivers asked in a survey of more than 4,500 people. Some 74% of at-work drivers admitted speeding at 80mph or more on motorways, compared with almost half of other drivers, research, undertaken with breakdown and recovery firm Green Flag, showed.

More than three-quarters of at-work drivers (77%) admitted driving at 35mph in a 30mph limit, compared with six in 10 other drivers (62%).

According to Brake, tailgating was a contributory factor in at least 54 road accident deaths in 2006.
The charity called on the Government to take action, including urging the Department for Transport to publish its research into satellite-controlled vehicle speed limiters.