A Practical Guide To Roadway Safety For Businesses And Staff

For many employees, driving is an integral part of their job responsibilities. Whether it involves commuting between worksites, delivering goods, or transporting people, driving is often seen as routine. Yet, it is far from risk-free. Driving can be both physically demanding and mentally taxing, especially when performed under time pressure or as part of daily work duties. Prolonged sitting, poor ergonomics, and stress from tight schedules can contribute to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), while fatigue, distraction, and external factors such as weather increase the likelihood of crashes.

Despite these realities, roadway safety is often treated as a secondary issue within workplace safety programmes. Many organisations only address driving-related hazards reactively, after an incident has already occurred. This reactive approach comes at a high cost. In fact, vehicular incidents accounted for the majority of the 17 workplace fatalities reported in Singapore during the first half of 2025. Beyond the tragic loss of life, such incidents can disrupt business operations, lead to compensation claims, inflate insurance premiums, and damage a company’s reputation.

As with other safety-critical tasks, employers have a duty of care to safeguard employees when they are behind the wheel. Road safety should not be treated as optional but rather embedded into workplace health and safety planning.

 

What are the main factors responsible for road accidents?

Driving for work exposes employees to a wide range of risks, many of which can be prevented with proper management. By understanding the key contributing factors, organisations can take proactive steps to mitigate them.

 

1. Unsafe vehicles 

Poorly maintained vehicles are a hidden danger. Worn tyres, faulty brakes, or malfunctioning lights can quickly turn routine driving into a life-threatening situation. Employers should commit to regular vehicle inspections and timely repairs, covering both company-owned and employee-owned vehicles used for work.

 

2. Driver fatigue 

Employees driving long hours or at irregular times are especially vulnerable to fatigue. Tired drivers experience slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and reduced concentration, all of which raise the risk of accidents. Employers can help by ensuring reasonable work schedules, mandating rest breaks, and monitoring workloads to prevent overexertion.

 

3. Aggressive driving and speeding 

Time pressures often push employees to speed or drive aggressively. Such behaviours exponentially increase accident risk. Employers should counter this by allowing sufficient time for tasks, discouraging speed-based performance measures, and rewarding compliance with safe driving practices.

 

4. Road and weather conditions

Rain, fog, or poorly lit roads create additional hazards. Employers should provide guidance on when to delay or cancel journeys and train staff to handle adverse conditions safely.

 

5. Distractions

Using mobile phones, eating, or adjusting navigation devices while driving are common causes of accidents. Organisations should enforce strict policies discouraging distractions, encourage hands-free options where necessary, and promote awareness of how even momentary lapses in attention can have severe consequences.

 

Roadway safety by industry: Who’s at risk?

Almost every industry involves some degree of driving risk. A few sectors stand out for their heightened exposure:

• Construction: Project managers, engineers, and workers frequently travel between sites. Combined with the industry’s existing high-risk profile, roadway hazards add another layer of concern.
• Transportation and logistics: Delivery drivers and freight operators face tight schedules and extended working hours, making fatigue and speeding recurring problems.
• Utilities and field services: Crews responding to emergencies often work in poor conditions or under pressure to restore services quickly.
• Manufacturing and distribution: Supervisors and support staff may need to travel across facilities or manage distribution logistics.
• Education and school districts: Bus drivers and staff responsible for transporting students often operate outdated vehicles or lack modern safety training.

For organisations in these industries, road safety must form part of the prevention plan. Just as one would prepare staff with occupational first aid training to respond effectively to emergencies on-site, proactive preparation for road-related hazards is equally critical.

 

How to improve road safety at work

Workplace road safety is not just an individual responsibility; it requires collective effort. Businesses with fleets or employees who drive for work purposes must ensure that road safety is prioritised at every level. A structured programme can prevent accidents, protect lives, and reduce liability.

An effective workplace road safety programme is best built on four key pillars: safe driving skills, safe vehicles, strong safety culture, and policy and planning.

 

1. Safe driving skills

Developing safe drivers is the cornerstone of any road safety initiative. Training should be tailored both to new hires and seasoned employees.

• For new drivers: Induction programmes should introduce fundamental safety practices, company-specific policies, and hazard awareness. Early training helps instil a culture of caution and responsibility from the outset.
• For experienced drivers: Refresher courses focusing on defensive driving, fatigue management, and navigating adverse weather conditions are essential. Advanced training should challenge drivers to refine judgment and decision-making under pressure.
• Simulation tools: Incorporating simulators or virtual reality (VR) platforms can immerse drivers in realistic scenarios. By safely replicating emergencies, drivers can learn how to respond effectively without real-world risks.

Skilled, well-prepared drivers are better equipped to avoid hazards and respond quickly in unexpected situations, reducing the likelihood of serious incidents.

 

2. Safe vehicles that meet standards

No safety programme can succeed if the vehicles themselves are unsafe. Ensuring that every car, van, or lorry meets safety standards is non-negotiable.

• Regular inspections: Establish a strict schedule for maintenance checks, covering tyres, brakes, engines, and safety features.
• Safety equipment: Equip vehicles with essential tools such as GPS tracking, dash cams, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits.
• Replacement policy: Define clear rules on when to retire vehicles, based on mileage, performance, or safety concerns.

Reliable, well-maintained vehicles reduce the likelihood of mechanical failures and instil confidence in both drivers and management.

 

3. Strong safety culture backed by leadership

Policies and training are important, but they can only be effective if supported by a strong organisational culture. Leadership plays a pivotal role in embedding safety values across the workforce.

• Lead by example: Senior leaders should demonstrate their commitment by adhering to safety rules, attending training, and discussing road safety openly.
• Engage employees: Encourage participation through safety committees, open forums, and recognition of safe behaviour.
• Reward compliance: Incentives such as recognition programmes, bonuses, or team rewards encourage drivers to adopt and maintain safe habits.

When road safety is treated as a shared responsibility, it becomes ingrained in daily operations, reducing the risk of negligence and oversight.

 

4. Comprehensive policy and planning

Well-defined policies are the backbone of a robust safety programme. Organisations should establish clear, enforceable rules covering all aspects of work-related driving.

• Safety policies: Document expectations for driving behaviour, vehicle maintenance, and reporting procedures. Ensure employees are familiar with these requirements.
• Emergency protocols: Provide clear instructions for responding to accidents, including immediate reporting lines, medical support, and post-incident investigations.
• Driver monitoring: Use telematics systems to monitor driving patterns, such as speed, braking, and idle times. These tools can highlight areas where additional training is needed and help enforce compliance.

Policy-driven approaches create accountability and consistency, ensuring that safety is not left to chance.

 

Conclusion

Roadway safety is too often overlooked in workplace health and safety planning, yet the risks it poses are both severe and preventable. Employers must recognise that driving for work is not just another task; it is a high-risk activity requiring as much attention as any other safety-critical operation. Through proper driver training, vehicle maintenance, clear policies, and a strong culture around safety and accountability, organisations can reduce the likelihood of accidents and protect both their employees and their reputation.

Strengthen your team’s confidence and compliance with Wong Fong Academy’s comprehensive workplace safety programmes. Our hands-on training equips your workforce with the skills to work smarter and safer. Register now and make workplace safety a lasting priority.