Wouldn’t want to be in their shoes

Deaths on the road are one of today’s biggest occupational work related issues. Up to one-third of deaths on British roads involve someone driving for work.
For Workers’ Memorial Day 2007 a display of shoes were exhibited to remember all those who have died in work related road accidents.

In 2004 there were 3221 deaths on UK roads. Of these, it is thought between 800 and 1000 involved people who were driving in the course of their work.   Many more were injured.   According to statistics over the past 2 years 14 people have died in road traffic accidents in Derbyshire whilst travelling to and from work and driving as part of their job.

Driving at work was the focus of Workers' Memorial Day, which 'Remembers the Dead and Fights for the Living' becauase many employees have to drive from sales representatives to construction workers. 

According to TRUST there are many reasons why accidents occur on the road, these include long hours that result in fatigue and stress as well as unrealistic targets and deadlines which cause workers to exceed the speed limit can result in deaths on the road.

Workers Memorial Day also campaigns for better conditions for workers. TRUST will continue to call on businesses to ensure that they plan routes and work schedules properly and ensure that vehicles are not only roadworthy but also suitable for the job.  Furthermore, employees should not be pressurised into working excessive hours.  TRUST also believes that the Government should make work-related road injuries and deaths reportable to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under RIDDOR,  improve enforcement by HSE, local authorities & police of employers’ statutory duties under existing legislation and enable the prosecution of negligent employers for corporate killing.  Anyone wishing to support the campaign can add their name to the on-line petition on

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/petitionforkaren/