York council has picked up on a Government initiative to curb the number of accidents caused by driver fatigue by targeting local businesses.
300 people are killed each year according to Department for Transport statistics as a result of drivers falling asleep at wheel.
To combat this York council’s road safety team have recruited hotels and companies in the region in a pioneering scheme to reduce the number of incidents of accidents directly caused by driver fatigue that some believe, could play a part in up to 20% of all crashes.
Hotels have been urged by the council to inform guests of the dangers of tired driving.
Meanwhile companies within the borough have been requested to educate drivers about the dangers involved with driving tired.
Employees too are being urged to take part in risk-reducing initiatives like informing employers if schedules are unrealistic or would benefit from overnight hotel stays.
The council’s road safety officers will also step in to local firms to ensure businesses have the necessary policies in place and have carried out ‘adequate’ risk assessments to demonstrate their duty of care in this area.
York council’s Tom Foxton, said: “Businesses may not realise that they have a responsibility to ensure that they are not putting their employees under unrealistic pressure that could result in them being forced to drive when tired.”