Widespread industrial action across the UK is likely to increase risks on the road, highlighting the need for businesses to ensure their drivers are safe.
The UK will face its biggest single day of industrial action in over a decade on Wednesday, with as many as 500,000 workers striking. This will include rail workers and teachers , as well as civil servants, university lecturers, bus drivers and security guards, as seven trade unions take action. This includes 100,000 members from the Public and Commercial Services Union.
Further strikes are being planned across February and March, including a possible strike on 6 February involving nurses and ambulance crews from the Unite union.
Red Corporate Driver Training said the strike action was a stark reminder to businesses of the need for safe, reliable fleet operations.
Drivers already face adds extra hazards over the winter – high winds and floods have been forecast for the next week – and the widespread industrial action increases risks on the road, according to CEO Seb Goldin.
He explained: “Driving in winter is hazardous enough, but with extra traffic on the roads because of public transport strike action, these risks are even greater.
“This emphasises the need for businesses to ensure their drivers are safe, confident and compliant behind the wheel.
“While we’re enduring strike action in the UK, our roads are going to be more dangerous places to be and this problem is exacerbated when ambulance crews are striking.
“While the Government may advise us not to travel when these strikes are happening, this is rather unrealistic – businesses need to keep operating and keep the wheels of UK plc rolling.”
