Driving for Better Business: Managing Work-Related Road Risk in the UK

Driving for Better Business is a free, government-backed programme delivered by National Highways, designed to help organisations reduce work-related road risk and improve the safety of employees who drive for work.

It supports business leaders, managers and supervisors by turning legal responsibilities into practical, achievable actions.

What Is Driving for Better Business?

The programme focuses on showing what good road risk management looks like, rather than promoting products or consultancy services.

Its aim is to help organisations create safer systems for managing occupational driving risks.

Key Tools and Resources Available

Driving for Better Business provides a wide range of free resources to support organisations:

• Driving for Work Policy Builder – Create or review policies to meet legal requirements
• Gap Analysis Tools – Identify weaknesses in current systems
• Driver Safety Toolkits – Cover key risks such as fatigue, distraction, vehicle checks and fitness to drive
• Incident Investigation Guidance – Learn from collisions and near misses
• Case Studies – Real-world examples of improved safety performance
• Management Awareness Resources – Support leadership decision-making

These tools help organisations build a structured and compliant approach to driving for work.

Supporting Managers and Supervisors

The programme helps managers translate legal duties into clear operational controls by enabling them to:

• Understand their role in managing road risk
• Set clear expectations for drivers and supervisors
• Apply policies consistently and fairly
• Identify hidden risks such as fatigue, workload pressure and vehicle suitability
• Demonstrate strong leadership commitment to safety

Benefits of Implementing Driving for Better Business

Organisations that adopt these guidelines often see measurable improvements:

• Fewer collisions and injuries
• Reduced insurance and repair costs
• Less vehicle downtime
• Improved legal compliance and audit readiness
• A stronger and more credible safety culture

Effective road risk management protects both employees and the organisation.

From Compliance to Best Practice

Driving for Better Business enables organisations to move beyond basic compliance and embed proportionate, practical and effective road risk management into everyday operations.

Key Takeaway

Driving for Better Business provides the tools and guidance needed to reduce risk, improve safety and build a proactive safety culture for anyone who drives for work.