Fitness to Drive

Introducing our new monthly ScORSA thought leadership series.

Each month, we’ll be sharing practical insight from experts across the occupational road safety community - focusing on the issues that matter most to organisations managing work-related driving.

We begin with Fitness to Drive, and insight from Caitlin Taylor, ScORSA Project Lead and RoSPA Road Safety Manager.

Caitlin challenges the idea that fitness to drive is solely a personal responsibility:

“Fitness to drive is often viewed as a personal responsibility, but from an employer and organisational perspective it is a critical safety, legal, and reputational issue. When driving is part of someone’s role - whether occasionally or full-time - any impairment doesn’t just affect the individual, it exposes colleagues, the public, and the organisation itself to significant risk.”

One risk that is often overlooked? Prescription medication.

Many commonly prescribed medicines can impair alertness, reaction time or decision-making. Drivers may not fully understand the impact - or may feel uncomfortable disclosing it. Without open conversations and clear guidance, this risk can remain hidden until an incident occurs.

Caitlin’s key message:

“The organisations that manage fitness to drive most effectively treat it as an ongoing process rather than a tick-box exercise. Embed it into everyday safety culture - through regular conversations, education, clear reporting pathways, and supportive policies.”

When people feel informed and supported, they are far more likely to speak up before a risk becomes an incident.

This is what proactive occupational road risk management looks like.