Congestion
- more costly than most people realise...
Did you know that the average company car driver spends 11 days a year stuck in
traffic?
A survey by Company Car Driver in association with the RAC Foundation has found
that on average, traffic congestion costs each company car driver five hours each
week.
The survey also found that almost 33% of company car drivers made a New Year resolution
to spend less time travelling for work in 2007 and that 30% claim they are already
spending less time on the road out of concern for the environment.
The pleas of the 40% who say they would welcome 'greater encouragement' of home
working, and the 25% who say they would enjoy greater flexibility in their working
hours to help them avoid congestion, are falling on deaf ears though, with 50%
of employers 'not at all' supportive of drivers taking up flexible working practices
such as working from home, online working or using public transport. Out of all
the initiatives available, online working - followed by the purchase of vehicles
with low emission and home working - were the most likely to be adopted.
Frighteningly, 10% of those surveyed admitted to having fallen asleep at the wheel
- the cause of around 20% of accidents on long journeys on trunk roads and motorways.
The RAC Foundation is urging companies to ensure that their drivers do not put
themselves at increased risk by driving for long periods, (and in particular between
midnight and 6am - the times drivers are most likely to fall asleep at the wheel)
or skimping on important rest breaks.
"The survey results suggest that too many company car drivers are under too
much pressure and perhaps some could avoid congestion by making more use of the
super highway rather than sitting in jams on the real highway, says " Jeremy
Bennett, editor of Company Car Driver.
