Significant numbers of people who drive for work are risking devastating crashes by texting, speeding and grooming at the wheel, according to research by road safety charity Brake and Direct Line insurance.

Nearly a third, 31% text while driving, one in six, 17% admit to grooming, such as putting on make-up or shaving while at the wheel and more than three-quarters, 76% admitted to speeding at more than 35mph in built up areas. 

The survey revealed that people driving for business purposes are more likely than the general driving population to take all of these risks prompting calls for employers to take action to ensure employees are safe and not putting others in danger.

Nearly a third, 30% of journeys on our roads are made by drivers who are at work at the time. It is estimated these drivers are 30-40% more likely to be in a crash than people driving on their own time. In Great Britain, 10 people are killed each week and 100 injured by people driving for work.

Julie Townsend, Brake Deputy Chief Executive, said, “It is appalling so many people who drive in a professional capacity are taking such horrendous and unnecessary risks, doing things we all know are unbelievably dangerous behind the wheel." 

"People who drive as part of their job should be taking great care to stay within the law and not put people in danger, but according to these results, at-work drivers are more likely to take many deadly risks than other drivers. We are urging all employers to ensure they have comprehensive safe driving policies in place and that staff know the importance of not speeding or driving distracted. We are also calling on anyone who drives for work to make a commitment to stay within speed limits, stay off the phone, and focussed on the critical task at hand.”

Matt Owen, spokesman for Direct Line, said, “Those who drive as part of their job seem to take greater risks whilst at the wheel, than the average driver. Whether it’s over confidence as they are heavy road users, work pressures or to save time; the risks they are taking with their lives and the lives of others is substantial. What’s more, texting, speeding and careless driving are illegal, and if caught the consequences could mean the risk they are taking with lives is also risking their livelihood.”