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Survey finds many British Columbians who drive for work believe crashes can’t be avoided

Many of B.C.’s estimated 2.5 million workers drive every day at work, according to Road Safety at Work, including truck and delivery drivers, community health care workers and sales reps, among others
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A Road Safety at Work survey has found around 84 per cent of people who drive as part of their job believe crashes can’t be avoided, while only 14 per cent believe speeding is dangerous.

Many British Columbians who drive for work believe crashes can’t be avoided while few believe speeding is dangerous, a new survey has found.

A survey conducted by Road Safety at Work has found around 84 per cent of people who drive as part of their job believe crashes can’t be avoided, while only 14 per cent believe speeding is dangerous.

“Learning the facts can help prevent injuries and even save their lives,” said Louise Yako, program director of Road Safety at Work, in a statement.

“Most motor vehicle crashes are preventable. Careful planning, training, proper vehicle maintenance and other proactive measures can reduce the risk as save lives.”

According to Road Safety at Work – a WorkSafeBC-funding initiative aimed at eliminating work-related motor vehicle crashes, deaths and injuries across B.C. – motor vehicle crashes are the “leading cause of traumatic workplace deaths in B.C.”

When it comes to speeding, one of the common contributing factors to road crashes, Yako pointed out speed limits are “set for optimal driving conditions,” and it may be safer to drive slower when the weather is poor or people are driving an unfamiliar vehicle or new route.

Many of B.C.’s estimated 2.5 million workers drive every day at work, according to Road Safety at Work, including truck and delivery drivers, community health care workers and sales reps, among others.

Another major contributing factor to crashes is distracted driving, however, the majority of survey respondents pinned the blame on other drivers for making driving a risky activity.

Yako said drivers need to put the phone away when they’re behind the wheel.

Meanwhile, there’s also a “big disconnect” between B.C. employers and their employees when to comes to driving risks, according to the survey.

Only 11 per cent of employers believe that driving is dangerous, compared with 26 per cent of drivers.

“Many employers believe this is because their workers only drive occasionally, do short trips, or only drive on quiet roads,” said Yako.

“But crashes happen and people get injured regardless of frequency of driving or length of trips. Employer and driver education is key to reducing the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities.”