Three police officers have been killed in road traffic incidents on their way to or travelling home from duty since the start of 2009.
And since 2000 road collisions while officers journey to and from work have been the most common cause of deaths among police officers.
A survey conducted by the Police Federation’s health and safety sub-committee has revealed that serious measures are needed to reduce the risks faced by officers after long shifts.
The Federation says that more training and advice for officers is essential to prevent them getting behind the wheel while they are struggling with fatigue.
900 officers were surveyed between December 2008 and February 2009 to determine how serious the problem is.
Almost 70% of officers who took part were unaware whether their force records near misses during journeys to and from work. A further 75% were unsure if their force had standard operational procedures, policies or risk assessments to deal with 12-hour shifts or extended hours of duty.
For further information contact the Police Federation press office.
When I was in the police and transferred to a location much further away from my home, I raised concerns about this, but the Ch.Supt. Personnel rejected my claim and said I shouldn’t be tired after a 10-hour night shift and 2-hours o’time before I started! I know one officer who fell asleep and hit a tree after a night shift and was critically ill for some time and still suffers after effects!
Olly, Lancashire
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One of Road Safety GB’s priority areas for action during the next 12 months is “Impairment” – which is generally taken to mean “by Alcohol or Drugs” but this one, which to most of us will come as no surprise, will also need to be taken into account – despite the difficulty in establishing it as a collision causation.
Brian (Administrator)
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