Managing the Known Unknowns in Road Risk

Drug driving

Ean Lewin, managing director of DTec International, which provides drugtesting wipes to police forces and fleets throughout the UK, warned that drug driving is now a more common problem than drink-driving.

He notes the 4,000 driver arrests made in December across 21 police forces, half of which were for drug driving offences, and half being alcohol related. “One in eight under 35s takes drugs and one in 14 employees takes drugs,” he told delegates. He said we need more research into the true consequences of drug-driving on collision statistics, as currently it is up to the coroner as to whether toxicology tests are carried out on drivers in fatal collisions. Although drug-wipe testing reacts to traces of codeine, cocaine and cannabis, over the counter medications can also be problematic – particularly those which can make drivers drowsy. Fleets need to educate drivers about the risks of over-thecounter medications and encourage them to check compatibility with driving with a pharmacist, for both prescriptions and self medication.

Key message: “Test commercial vehicle drivers for drug usage on induction, and randomly thereafter.”

Fatigue

Marcus de Guingand, MD of Third Pillar of Health, reminded delegates that driver sleepiness is fatal and that some companies now incentivise their employees getting at least seven hours’ good quality sleep per night. Sleep can be measured with some activity or exercise monitors.

Fleet operators should also be asking whether employees have second jobs, or a long commute to and from work. He says these are essential conversations to have with workers to determine whether they are likely to be too tired to drive.

“We also need to distinguish between fatigue and sleepiness,” he says. “Sleepiness is the result of a lack of good quality sleep. Fatigue can be caused by many things, such as boredom, or repetitive activities.”

Although both are dangerous, the interventions are quite different. Sleepiness can only be cured by sleep. However, fatigue in a driver who is not sleep deprived can be helped by an active break, or social interaction, such as stopping at a café for a coffee.

Key message: “Care for drivers. When cared for, they will be at their most effective and alert.”

Distraction

Dr Leanne Savigar-Shaw, Senior Lecturer in Policing at Staffordshire University, specialises in driver distraction and mobile phone use. She warned delegates that companies must be wary of the ways organisations can encourage employees to use technology legally, as this is still a strong risk factor for collision.

“The difficulty is we focus on legality and not risk. Drivers see driving as wasted time, and are encouraged to do something else while they drive to maximise their productivity. It may only be illegal to touch the phone, but we know that using the phone in any form is dangerous, even if it is legal,” she says.

“The law is out of touch with the capabilities of technology. If it’s now possible to do your shopping while driving without touching the phone, then we need to be better regulating the uses of technology while driving.”

This starts with strict policies and sound education by employers, making mobile phone use of any kind while the vehicle is moving a zero-tolerance offence. Employers also need to ensure that workrelated communications and pressures do not encourage a dangerous use of technology while driving.

Physical restrictions alone do not suffice, as people find ways around them. For instance, disabling work phones is moot if the employee carries a personal phone. Key message: “Have a policy to prevent hands free mobile phone use while driving.”

Driver health

Dr Markhand Batt, a Senior Medical Assessor for D4Drivers, says that medical tests for commercial vehicle drivers often reveal issues such as hypertension, diabetes and sleep disorders. However, employers could help drivers to stay healthier and encourage more frequent preventive and diagnostic trips.

It is often hard for commercial vehicle drivers to schedule GP appointments, due to their working pattern. Men can also be anxious about medical checks or procrastinate because they equate illness with weakness, a loss or work or a loss of identity.

However, conditions such as diabetes, depression or sleep disorders can be treated, leaving the individual healthier and safer on the roads. Ignoring them puts the driver at increased risk of collision as well as increased risk of serious medical complications.

Fleet operators should encourage drivers to eat well, stay hydrated, exercise during the day to mitigate the effects of sitting in the cab, and to get sufficient good quality sleep.

If drivers show any signs of being unwell, tired or being anxious, worried or depressed, this should be sensitively investigated.

Key message: “Health conditions are most dangerous when undiagnosed. Diagnosis leads to treatment which makes the person healthier as an individual and safer as a driver.”