With Brake’s Road Safety Week taking place from 15–21 November 2026, under the theme Safe People on the Move, businesses are being encouraged to consider how their everyday activities affect road safety.
For organisations operating company cars and vans, road safety extends beyond making sure employees follow the Highway Code. Employers also need to consider vehicle suitability, journey planning, driver training and the potential impact their operations have on pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
Whether employees are visiting customers, travelling between sites or making deliveries, businesses have an important role to play in reducing work-related road risks.
Road Safety Week provides a timely opportunity to review existing arrangements and consider whether company policies, fleet vehicles and working practices are helping to make journeys safer for everyone.
What Is Road Safety Week 2026?
Road Safety Week is an annual campaign organised by road safety charity Brake. It aims to raise awareness of road deaths and serious injuries while encouraging individuals, businesses, schools and communities to take action to improve road safety.
Taking place from 15–21 November 2026, this year’s theme is Safe People on the Move.
The campaign focuses on the importance of safe road users, recognising that everyone has a responsibility to help protect themselves and others, whether they walk, wheel, cycle, ride or drive.
It also highlights an important principle: those with the greatest potential to cause harm have the greatest responsibility to protect more vulnerable people using the roads.
For businesses, this is particularly relevant where employees regularly drive as part of their job. Company vehicles share roads with pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and other vehicles, and the decisions made by employers can influence how safely those journeys are carried out.
Brake is encouraging employers to take part through its workplace resources and a free webinar on 18 November 2026, covering speed, distraction, fatigue and the policies and technology that can help keep employees safe.
Further information is available through Brake’s Road Safety Week campaign.
Why Road Safety Matters To Businesses
Driving for work is an important part of many business operations, but it also introduces risks that employers need to manage.
Employees may spend several hours a day travelling between appointments, visiting customer premises, carrying equipment or delivering goods. Their journeys may involve busy urban roads, rural routes, motorways and unfamiliar locations.
The Department for Transport’s provisional 2025 road casualty figures, highlighted by Brake, estimated that 1,556 people were killed and a further 28,255 seriously injured on Britain’s roads during the year.
Brake also highlights that around a quarter of UK road deaths involve someone driving for work, underlining the importance of employers taking occupational road safety seriously.
For businesses, the consequences of a road collision can extend beyond the immediate injuries. They may include:
- Employee injuries, absence and potential long-term health effects.
- Damage to company vehicles and other property.
- Disruption to deliveries, appointments and everyday operations.
- Insurance claims and associated costs.
- Investigation and reporting requirements.
- Reputational damage and potential legal consequences.
Taking a proactive approach to road safety can help businesses manage these risks while demonstrating that employee welfare and the safety of other road users are important organisational priorities.
Employer Responsibilities For Work-Related Road Safety
Employers have legal responsibilities to manage health and safety risks associated with employees driving or riding as part of their work.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) explains that health and safety law applies to work-related road activities in much the same way as it applies to activities carried out at a fixed workplace.
These responsibilities cover employees using company vehicles and privately owned vehicles for business journeys, commonly known as grey fleet vehicles.
Employers should also make sure that anyone driving for work has the correct licence entitlement for the vehicle they are using. Regular licence checks can help identify disqualifications, expired entitlements or other issues that could affect an employee’s ability to drive legally. Our guide to company vehicle licence checks and employer responsibilities explains what businesses should consider.
A suitable risk assessment should consider three key areas:
The Journey
Employers should consider the routes employees are expected to take, journey distances, traffic conditions, weather, roadworks and the time available to complete each journey.
The Driver
Businesses should consider driver competence, licence entitlement, training, fatigue, health and whether employees are being placed under unnecessary pressure to complete journeys.
The Vehicle
Vehicles used for work should be suitable for their intended purpose, properly maintained and safe to use on the road.
The HSE also expects employers to consult workers about health and safety arrangements and consider risks affecting vulnerable workers, including those who work alone.
Its guidance for employers on driving and riding safely for work provides further information.
Protecting Vulnerable Road Users
The 2026 Road Safety Week theme places particular emphasis on protecting people who are more vulnerable when sharing the road.
For businesses operating cars and vans, this means considering how vehicle choice, driver behaviour and everyday operating procedures can affect pedestrians and cyclists.
Commercial vehicles can present particular visibility challenges because of their size, body shape and driving position. Drivers may have areas around the vehicle that are difficult to see, particularly when manoeuvring at low speeds or reversing.
Businesses can consider several practical measures to help reduce these risks.
Choose Vehicles With Appropriate Safety Equipment
When selecting company cars and vans, businesses should consider available safety features and whether they are appropriate for the vehicle’s intended use.
Depending on the model and specification, useful features may include reversing cameras, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, lane assistance and automatic emergency braking.
These systems can provide additional assistance, but they should not replace proper observation, driver awareness or training.
As vehicle interiors become increasingly technology-led, employers should also consider whether drivers can operate essential controls without taking unnecessary attention away from the road. Our article on touchscreen technology and vehicle safety risks for fleets explores some of the concerns associated with increasingly digital vehicle controls.
Consider Vehicle Visibility
Drivers should understand the visibility limitations of the vehicles they operate, particularly when using larger vans in built-up areas.
Employers can encourage drivers to take additional care around junctions, pedestrian crossings, cycle lanes, schools and other locations where vulnerable road users may be present.
Review Delivery And Parking Arrangements
Businesses making regular deliveries or attending customer premises should consider where vehicles are expected to stop, park and unload.
Where possible, drivers should be given suitable instructions for accessing sites safely, avoiding unnecessary reversing and taking account of pedestrians and cyclists.
Encourage Considerate Driving
Driver training and company policies should reinforce the importance of maintaining safe distances, adjusting speed to road conditions and allowing vulnerable road users sufficient space.
The aim should be to make consideration for other road users part of everyday driving behaviour, rather than something employees only think about during a road safety campaign.
Safe Journey Planning And Realistic Workloads
Journey planning is another important part of managing work-related road risk.
Employees who are expected to complete multiple appointments or deliveries may face pressure to stay on schedule, particularly when traffic conditions or unexpected delays affect their journeys.
If journey times are unrealistic, drivers may feel encouraged to rush, take unnecessary risks or continue travelling when tired.
Employers should therefore consider whether schedules allow enough time for journeys to be completed safely.
Practical measures include:
- Allowing realistic travel times between appointments.
- Taking account of traffic conditions, roadworks and weather.
- Providing suitable opportunities for rest breaks.
- Avoiding unnecessary journeys where alternative arrangements are practical.
- Selecting routes that are appropriate for the vehicle and the surrounding road environment.
- Making sure employees can report delays without feeling pressured to drive unsafely.
Speeding and distraction are two further areas that businesses should address through their driving policies and employee training. Employers should make it clear that drivers must not feel pressured to rush between appointments or respond to work communications while behind the wheel. Our guide to speeding and distracted driving risks for fleet operators looks at the challenges businesses need to consider.
Mobile phone use deserves particular attention, especially where employees regularly communicate with customers or colleagues throughout the working day. Businesses should make sure drivers understand the rules and are not expected to answer calls or messages while driving. Read more about mobile phone use while driving and the risks for UK motorists.
Driver fitness is not limited to fatigue. Employers should also have clear expectations around alcohol, drugs and any other factors that could affect an employee’s ability to drive safely. A suitable policy should explain the organisation’s approach and make sure employees understand their responsibilities. Our article on drink and drug driving risks for company fleets provides further information.
Work-related pressures and mental wellbeing can also influence concentration and decision-making. Businesses should encourage employees to raise concerns and provide appropriate support where needed. Our guide to supporting driver mental health explores this area.
Businesses should also consider whether employees have access to suitable facilities when working away from their normal workplace, particularly those who spend extended periods on the road.
Vehicle Maintenance And Daily Checks
A safe driver and a suitable journey are only part of the picture. The vehicle itself must also be safe and properly maintained.
Employers should have appropriate arrangements for servicing, maintenance and checking vehicles used for business purposes.
A planned maintenance programme can help businesses keep vehicles roadworthy, reduce the likelihood of unexpected defects and maintain better oversight of servicing requirements. Our fleet maintenance planning guide explains how organisations can approach vehicle maintenance more systematically.
For van fleets, daily walkaround checks can help identify defects before a vehicle is taken onto the road.
Drivers should know how to identify and report issues involving tyres, lights, mirrors, brakes, windscreen visibility and other important safety components.
Any defects that could make a vehicle unsafe should be addressed before it is used again.
Businesses should also make sure loads are correctly secured, and vehicles are not overloaded, as these issues can affect handling, braking and overall road safety.
Our guide to daily van checks and business legal responsibilities explains the checks and responsibilities businesses should consider.
Does Your Grey Fleet Meet The Same Safety Standards?
Road safety responsibilities do not stop at company-owned or leased vehicles.
Many organisations have employees who use their own cars for business journeys. This is known as grey fleet use and can create additional challenges for employers because they do not directly control the vehicles being used.
Businesses should have procedures for checking that employees using their own vehicles for work have:
- Appropriate insurance cover for business use.
- A valid driving licence for the vehicle they are driving.
- A valid MOT where required.
- A vehicle that is roadworthy and properly maintained.
- Suitable arrangements for reporting defects or changes that could affect their ability to drive safely.
Employers should also consider whether the vehicle is suitable for the work being undertaken.
For example, a vehicle regularly used to transport equipment or travel between remote locations may have different requirements from one used for occasional short business journeys.
Our grey fleet management guide explores the responsibilities and practical considerations for businesses managing employees who use privately owned vehicles.
Creating A Stronger Road Safety Culture
Policies and procedures are important, but they are most effective when supported by a workplace culture that encourages safe behaviour.
Employees should feel able to raise concerns about unsafe vehicles, unrealistic journey schedules or working arrangements that could put them or other road users at risk.
Businesses can use Road Safety Week to involve employees in discussions about everyday driving challenges and identify opportunities to improve existing arrangements.
Some practical activities include:
- Reviewing the organisation’s driving for work policy.
- Providing refresher training for employees who drive regularly.
- Sharing information about vulnerable road users and safe driving behaviour.
- Reviewing collision and near-miss records to identify recurring issues.
- Checking whether vehicle safety equipment is appropriate for operational requirements.
- Encouraging employees to report vehicle defects and road safety concerns.
- Making sure managers understand their responsibilities when planning work-related journeys.
It is also important to investigate collisions and near misses appropriately. Understanding what happened, why it happened and whether working practices contributed can help prevent similar incidents in the future.
Businesses should also have a documented procedure explaining what employees must do following a collision involving a company vehicle. This should cover reporting requirements, gathering relevant information, notifying the appropriate contacts and arranging any necessary follow-up. Our guide to what to do when a company vehicle driver has an accident provides further guidance.
For more serious incidents, having an established response plan can help businesses manage the immediate situation, communicate with those affected and coordinate the necessary follow-up. Our article on serious road incident response plans for fleet operators explores why preparation matters.
Businesses can use their existing company vehicle policy as a starting point when reviewing driver expectations and responsibilities.
Managing Road Risk Across Your Fleet
For organisations operating multiple vehicles, keeping track of driver responsibilities, vehicle condition and compliance requirements can become increasingly complex.
A structured approach to fleet management can help businesses maintain oversight of their vehicles and identify areas where additional support may be required.
This could include reviewing vehicle suitability, monitoring maintenance schedules, keeping driver records up to date and ensuring that employees understand their responsibilities.
For larger or more complex fleets, regular audits can help businesses assess whether their vehicles, driver records, maintenance arrangements and compliance procedures are being managed effectively. A fleet audit can help identify gaps and highlight areas where improvements may be needed.
Road safety should also be considered throughout the vehicle lifecycle, from selecting suitable vehicles and managing them during their working life to planning replacements. Our guide to fleet lifecycle management for UK businesses explains how a structured approach can support wider fleet operations.
Technology can provide additional insight into how vehicles are being used. Depending on the system, telematics can help businesses monitor vehicle movements and identify driving patterns such as speeding, harsh braking and acceleration. Used appropriately, this information can support driver training and help managers identify areas requiring attention. Read our guide to vehicle telematics and fleet tracking for businesses.
Regular reviews can also help businesses identify whether their current fleet arrangements remain appropriate as operational requirements change.
A fleet risk assessment can help identify potential hazards and establish suitable measures to manage them.
For organisations looking for support with their wider vehicle requirements, CVC offers fleet management solutions designed to help businesses manage their vehicles and ongoing fleet needs. Our one-stop fleet solutions also provide further information about vehicle supply, conversions and dedicated fleet support.
Making Every Journey Safer
Road Safety Week 2026 is a reminder that safer roads depend on the decisions made by everyone who uses them.
For employers, that responsibility extends beyond individual driving behaviour. Vehicle selection, maintenance, journey planning, staff training and workplace expectations can all influence the safety of employees and other road users.
Businesses should use the campaign as an opportunity to review their existing arrangements, identify potential gaps and make practical improvements that can continue throughout the year.
Whether an organisation operates a handful of company cars or a larger fleet of vans, putting safety at the centre of its vehicle operations can help protect employees, customers and the wider community.
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