THINK: Drink-driving could lose you your job
Professional drivers must swerve drink-driving this Christmas if they want to avoid far more than just a 12month ban, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) have warned.
Supporting the government’s THINK! campaign, the FTA have reminded drivers they could be denied access to millions of jobs which use criminal record checks to vet potential employees.
Sally Thornley, Director of Standards, Audit and Accreditation at the FTA, said: “FTA fully supports the government campaign, and believes that the THINK! message is a really important one.
“Professional drivers must realise that they have potentially so much more to lose as a drink-driving ban could lead to their losing their livelihoods.
“But it shouldn’t just be about drivers.
“This is a timely reminder to vehicle operators who should also consider the risks to their livelihoods, as offences committed by their drivers could have an impact on their good repute and their Operator Licence.
“This is the perfect opportunity for them to revisit drug and alcohol policies; ensure appropriate management systems are in place and fully communicate these to their staff.
“Managers should be alert to warning signs and if in doubt, act.”
In the past 30years, drink-driving figures have fallen.
However, in 2011 there were still 230 deaths due to drink driving – accounting for 12% of all road fatalities.
According to police figures recently revealed by LV=, the number of motorists arrested for drink-driving the ‘morning after’ has risen.
Arrests between 06:00 and 08:00 rose from 350 in 2011 to 363 in 2012 – an increase of 4%.
