what risks are associated with driving

A driving safety risk assessment should treat vehicle operation as a high-risk work activity and evaluate hazards across the full task: driver fitness, vehicle condition, route, weather, traffic, road environment, and emergency response. The assessment should include off-site workers such as drivers, review how the work is organized, consider unusual conditions such as climate events, and account for worker experience, training, and other groups with different risk levels. Common driving hazards identified in work-related risk assessment include working long hours, fatigue, and driving in congested traffic, with potential outcomes including stress and motor vehicle collision. [1] [1] [1] [1] [1]

Key hazards and controls:

• Distracted driving: prohibit handheld phone use, texting, programming devices while moving, and any activity that takes attention from driving; set communications rules so calls/messages are handled only when safely parked or by hands-free systems used minimally.
• Fatigue: do not drive when overly tired; schedule work to avoid fatigue-producing hours, ensure adequate rest before driving, and require drivers to stop in a safe place if drowsy. If a qualified co-worker is present, switch drivers.
• Speeding: require compliance with posted limits and reduction of speed for traffic, visibility, road surface, work zones, and weather; never let schedules pressure drivers to violate traffic laws.
• Impaired driving: enforce zero tolerance for alcohol, drugs, and any impairment from medication, illness, or exhaustion; remove impaired drivers from duty immediately.
• Adverse weather and winter conditions: plan trips in advance, check weather and road reports, postpone travel when conditions are poor, carry a winter kit, slow down, increase following distance, avoid cruise control, and use low-beam headlights.
• Road conditions: assess congestion, stopped traffic, potholes, ice, bridges, construction zones, and roadside exposure; increase spacing, scan far ahead, and adjust route or timing when hazards are elevated.
• Vehicle defects: perform pre-use inspections and remove unsafe vehicles from service until repaired.
• Roadside and work-zone exposure: use advance warning devices, high-visibility apparel, and traffic control measures; avoid unnecessary time near live traffic and close lanes when needed for safe incident management.

[7] [4] [4] [10] [8] [8] [13] [13] [13] [15] [15] Collision prevention and defensive driving controls should focus on anticipation, space management, visibility, and full attention. A good driver anticipates crises and avoids them. Drivers should wear seat belts at all times, maintain safe following distance, stay in the right lane except when passing, use turn signals, scan well ahead for slowing or stopped traffic, and avoid abrupt steering, braking, or acceleration. In winter or low-traction conditions, reduce speed, use smooth steering inputs, and know skid and braking techniques appropriate to whether the vehicle has anti-lock brakes. In work zones or while stopped roadside, do not rely on emergency lights alone; use cones, signs, warning devices, and clear communication. [17] [13] [13] [14] [9] [15]

Vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements:

• Inspect the vehicle before use, at least daily, and preferably each time it is used.
• Do not operate a vehicle until you are sure it is safe to do so; report concerns immediately.
• Check exterior condition, windshield, wipers, mirrors, tires/wheels, suspension, licence plate/sticker, cargo security, and underneath for leaks or damage.
• Check engine and fluid systems including oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, radiator, washer fluid, battery, belts, hoses, exhaust, fuel, and power steering.
• Check electrical and safety systems including headlights, signal lights, flashers, backup lights, horn, instrument panel indicators, steering, seats, seat belts, and driver controls.
• Keep the interior free of clutter, especially around feet and pedals; ensure windows are clean and accessories such as GPS or hands-free devices do not create hazards.
• Verify emergency equipment required by regulation, such as fire extinguisher, first aid kit, triangles or flares; for EVs, confirm extinguisher compatibility and check charge status and charging components.
• Ensure all inspected items are in good working order, have no leaks or damage, and are properly secured.

[6] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [3] [3] [5] [5] [12] Incident reporting and post-incident response should be part of the risk assessment. Drivers must know how to report vehicle defects, near misses, collisions, roadside hazards, and violations of safe-driving rules immediately. Reporting should trigger vehicle withdrawal from service when defects are identified, investigation of root causes such as fatigue or distraction, corrective actions, and recordkeeping of driving performance. For roadside incidents, use warning devices, stay out of live traffic where possible, call emergency services when needed, and communicate hazards clearly to supervisors and responders. [6] [10] [10] [11]

Applicable road safety regulations and compliance requirements should include, at minimum, a written safe-driving policy, seat belt rules, driver licensing and training, vehicle inspection and maintenance, compliance with traffic laws, and any jurisdiction-specific requirements for commercial vehicles, roadside work, and emergency equipment. Employers should assign management responsibility for the driver safety program, ensure drivers are properly licensed and trained for the vehicles they operate, and verify that schedules do not encourage violations. Where employees work on or near roads, compliance should also address traffic control, warning signs, high-visibility clothing, and move-over or lane-control requirements applicable in the jurisdiction. [4] [4] [10] [10] [10] [6] [16] [16]

A practical risk assessment outcome is to rate each hazard by likelihood and severity, then assign controls using the hierarchy of controls where possible. Typical high-priority risks for occupational driving are fatigue, distraction, speeding under schedule pressure, poor weather, unsafe roadside exposure, and mechanical defects. Effective controls include journey planning, fit-for-duty checks, pre-trip inspections, preventive maintenance, seat belt enforcement, no-phone-while-driving rules, weather-based go/no-go decisions, defensive driving training, and immediate reporting and investigation of incidents and near misses. [1] [10] [8] [8] [10]