It's that time of year again - as we write this we have reached the peak accident time for the entire year. Indeed, most accidents happen at dusk on Friday afternoons, on wet roads, full of tired drivers.

It may be that driver tiredness is just the result of hard work and the long gap since the summer holidays, or it may be that a "tired driver" is really a drunk driver.

At Cardinus Fleet our training is always focused on avoiding exposure to the "other driver". We aim to teach drivers to observe these "other drivers" rather that just the other driver's vehicle. If you can spot the driver who is distracted, for whatever reason then you can make special efforts to avoid and remove yourself from the danger.

Where you are suspicious that the other driver has been drinking, do everything to avoid the risk which may even include stopping your vehicle or taking and alternative route.

Some good tips to spot a drink driver include:

• Low speed: significantly under the speed limit, particularly at night
• Weaving from side to side or swerving towards you
• Hesitancy: slow reactions at traffic lights and other road signals
• Stalling
• No lights or poor use of signals

As a line manager you may become aware of a member of staff arriving late, dishevelled, and boasting of their late night drinking exploits. If they are about to drive on business, should you let them? If you do, you expose yourself and your company to potential "Duty of Care" issues.

With over 1,000 deaths as a result of driving at work last year, whether you are a fleet operator or have employees driving on business, health & safety, road safety and corporate manslaughter legislation all pose threats to you and your organisation.

To find out how Cardinus Fleet can help you manage your driving at work risks visit www.cardinus.com, email info@cardinus.com or call 0207 469 0200.