Salespeople are driving dangerously to keep up with heavy work shedules

A poll of 1,800 senior managers and business owners points to the dangers of work at the wheel with two-fifths of respondents admitting they have dialled into conference calls while driving and three quarters regularly making calls to colleagues or customers.

A fifth of those surveyed by Regus, the global workspace provider, said they have held important business discussions, tantamount to a meeting requiring concentration and decision making, while one of them was driving. More than one-in-ten has recorded verbal notes using their phone at the wheel.

John Spencer, UK CEO at Regus said: “The devastating consequences of being distracted whilst driving are well documented, with one study showing that those on handsfree phones are slower to break and are as affected as ‘drunk drivers’. Yet our research reveals just how common it is for people to put themselves, and other road users, at risk.

“The real issue is how employers are managing their mobile workforces. Too few companies pay adequate attention to how, and where, their teams work. Training, clear rules especially in regard to mobile devices alongside practical provisions such as drop-in workspace are all essential to ensure that staff work safely and productively.”

Regus opened its first business centres on the motorway network in 2012, providing convenient stop-off points for drivers to work, make calls, print documents or hold meetings. Since then, each of the ‘big four’ motorway service area operators has opened ‘Regus Express’ sites to help motorists work at the roadside rather than at the wheel.