The Road Safety Authority (RSA), in partnership with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and An Garda Síochána, today hosted the annual Driving for Work Seminar in Enfield, County Meath.

The event brought together industry leaders, commercial fleet operators, professional drivers, and road safety experts to address the significant risks associated with driving for work and to promote stronger employer-led road safety management.

International research estimates that up to 40% of road deaths are work-related. This year’s rise in road fatalities underscored the urgency of the seminar’s message.

Focus on HGV Driver Risk

This year’s event primarily focused on road safety and Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) operations.

RSA analysis of collision data found that:

• HGVs account for 10% of vehicles involved in fatal collisions.
• In these collisions, the person killed is most often the other road user, not the HGV driver.

RSA Chief Executive Sam Waide said: “Driving for work is a significant road safety challenge. Employers must take an active and structured role in managing driving for work risks. This means having clear policies, supporting drivers with proper training, and ensuring safety is at the centre of every journey. Working together with our partners in the HSA and An Garda Síochána, we are committed to reducing these risks and saving lives on our roads.”

The RSA is urging all employers – large and small – to review their driving for work policies and practices and ensure that robust safety management systems are in place.

Superintendent Tom Murphy, Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, An Garda Síochána said: “We heard at the seminar today that 25% of drivers involved in fatal collisions were driving for work and that one in 10 of drivers killed were driving for work. It is critical that employers prioritise policies to promote safe driving behaviours. An Garda Síochána is gravely concerned as to the current level of fatalities on Irish roads, and we are committed to working with all stakeholders in addressing this very concerning trend.”

Deirdre Sinnott McFeat, Senior Inspector responsible for the HSA Driving for Work Programme, said: “Fatigue is one of the most dangerous factors on the road because tired drivers make poor decisions and increase the risk of collisions. By managing fatigue and prioritising road safety, employers prevent collisions and save lives. The newly published Driving for Work: Risk Management Guidance for Employers will help employers better understand their key legal obligations and provide practical steps to build policies, procedures and work practices that support safer driving for work and collision prevention across all economic sectors and vehicle fleets.”

The RSA Professional Drivers Survey 2024 was conducted in November 2024, with data collected from HGV drivers and bus drivers. Key findings in relation to HGV drivers were presented at the Driving for Work Seminar today. These included that:

• Fatigue is a major issue. One in two HGV drivers report that they continue driving when tired due to lack of suitable rest stops, or time pressure.
• One in three HGV drivers report using a hand-held mobile phone for work purposes while driving.
• Speeding is widespread, with a third of HGV drivers admitting to exceeding 50km/h limits with some frequency. This rises to almost two-thirds of HGV drivers for 100km/h roads.
• One in ten HGV drivers reported that they have driven after consuming any alcoholic drink, and after consuming any illicit drugs.

HGV drivers also identified some of the challenging conditions they experience on the roads, including overgrown hedgerows, poor/damaged road surfaces, lack of suitable rest areas and traffic congestion.

These findings highlight the dual burden on HGV drivers: individual responsibility and systemic obstacles that make safe driving more difficult.

Key Findings From the Professional Driver Survey

The full survey of 998 professional drivers (including HGV + bus drivers) found:

• Drivers spend an average of 37 hours per week driving for work.
• 55% often have to drive extra hours, especially drivers under 35.
• 34% do not know whether their employer has a driving for work policy.
• 53% reported being stopped for commercial checks in the past three years; issues were identified for 28% of those drivers.
• Only half received very clear instruction on in-vehicle safety technologies available to them.

For more information on driving for work guidelines and resources, visit www.drivingforwork.ie