LON/General/TBT-LON-014

Lone Driver Safety

Lone Working › General › Lone Driver Safety

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Lone drivers include delivery drivers, site supervisors, surveyors, and engineers travelling to remote project locations.
Driver fatigue is the primary risk for lone drivers making long or early-morning journeys to construction sites.
Breakdowns in remote areas leave lone drivers vulnerable to weather, traffic, and personal safety risks.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require lone driver risk assessments.
Lone drivers cannot get immediate assistance in a medical emergency without communication and check-in procedures.
Journey planning should account for distance, rest breaks, weather conditions, and alternative routes.
Hands-free mobile phones and lone worker devices allow drivers to maintain contact with base during journeys.
Vehicle pre-use checks reduce the risk of breakdowns that leave drivers stranded in remote locations.
Loading and unloading at unstaffed sites creates manual handling and security risks for lone drivers.
Night driving to early-start sites increases fatigue and reduces the ability to spot road hazards.

Prevent fatigue accidents	Lone drivers making long journeys without rest breaks fall asleep at the wheel, causing fatal crashes.
Medical emergencies	A lone driver suffering a medical emergency has no one to provide immediate first aid or call for help.
Legal duty	The Management Regulations 1999 require employers to assess and control risks to employees who drive alone.

Don't

Plan your journey in advance including rest stops every two hours on long drives
Carry a charged mobile phone and inform your base of your route and expected arrival time
Complete a vehicle pre-use check including tyres, lights, fuel, and fluid levels before departure
Take a 15-minute break if you feel drowsy — do not try to drive through tiredness
Carry basic emergency equipment including a torch, hi-vis vest, and first aid kit
Check weather forecasts before journeys to remote or elevated construction site locations
Use a lone worker device or check-in app for journeys to remote or unstaffed sites
Keep vehicle doors locked when stopped in isolated areas, especially at night
Report any vehicle defects, near misses, or safety concerns from the journey on arrival
Ensure your breakdown recovery membership is current before making lone journeys regularly

DON'T drive when you feel drowsy or have not had adequate sleep before the journey
DON'T make long journeys without planning rest stops at least every two hours
DON'T set off without informing someone of your route and expected arrival time
DON'T skip the vehicle pre-use check — breakdowns in remote areas are high risk
DON'T use a handheld mobile phone while driving — use hands-free or stop safely first
DON'T drive in severe weather without checking the forecast and considering alternatives
DON'T leave the vehicle without a hi-vis vest if you break down on a live road
DON'T load or unload heavy items alone at unstaffed sites without a manual handling plan
DON'T exceed driving hour limits or skip required rest breaks under pressure of programme
DON'T assume your employer knows where you are — always maintain check-in procedures

See also: Lone Working Awareness | Fatigue and Working Hours

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