Mike Waters’ Blog: 27 June 2007

Spaghetti behind the wheel – I’ve heard everything now!

I’m sure I wasn’t alone in being left in utter disbelief when I heard last week that an HGV driver had been pulled over for eating a pan of spaghetti behind the wheel while steering with his knees!

I can’t decide whether I was more shocked that the driver had actually done it or that the chief supt of North Wales Police, where the incident took place, announced that it wasn’t an isolated incident!

While the case is so extreme it’s difficult not to laugh in incredulity, what the incident does underline is that there are drivers out there prepared to take ridiculous risks when behind the wheel. And I believe it’s not just HGV drivers that are alone in putting lives at risk.

There are regular reports of dangerous and irresponsible driving across the UK be this speeding, using mobile phones or even reading a map whilst driving. Under the Road Safety Act penalty system, misdemeanours like this are punishable by a mandatory three points and £60 fine.

While drivers are ultimately responsible for their actions, businesses too must recognise the role they play in instigating safe driving. In the event of an accident or worse, a fatality, as a result of a business driver’s irresponsible driving, companies could find themselves facing corporate manslaughter charges. This aside, it should be in every company’s interests to make sure their employees are driving safely and responsibly.

While no one would advocate setting down draconian rules, there is a place for best practice guidance just as health and safety measures are covered in the workplace. In a world where CSR is increasingly important to business operations, driver welfare should be just as important to the fleet manager as the car itself.

See you next week!

Mike