The COSTS project

Nearly 30% of all serious and fatal road collisions involve individuals driving for business purposes – whether running an errand for the boss or taking the long haul in an HGV. From drivers exceeding the designated speed limit for their vehicle (or the road) to the effects of fatigue after a long trip, business people are over-represented in Sussex’s collision statistics.

Under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2008, company owners who have either not developed an occupational road risk plan or have not driven its implementation can be jailed for manslaughter if one of their employees is involved in a fatal collision. COSTS provides owners and fleet managers with a comprehensive pack of information regarding their responsibilities, as well as the opportunity to access the support that they need to develop and implement an occupational road risk policy.

COSTS is also focussing on those who drive for work, and specifically operators of both light and heavy goods vehicles. Many drivers seem unaware of the speed restrictions imposed by the law on their vans, and excess speed has been shown to be a contributory factor in a large number of collisions. Furthermore, the dangers of mobile phone use at the wheel and fatigue are also being highlighted to this target audience.

The COSTS project has been funded by the Department for Transport and is being delivered locally by the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, and national statistics for business related collisions can be found on the DFT website.

The project offers company owners a complete managers’ pack, including handbook, driver information and posters to display in public areas. Business can also apply for specialist help to devise their own occupational road risk strategy, or to have it examined by the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership.

You can now watch a short video about the COSTS Project taken from the campaign launch: