Vulnerable Road Users - ScORSA Member Insight

This month, we asked Kevin Carty, Divisional Road Risk Manager from M Group Energy, for his insights.

In your organisation why is keeping vulnerable road users safe in Shared Spaces such an important part of occupational road risk?

Keeping vulnerable road users safe in shared spaces is important because that’s where things can go wrong most quickly. These are places where our drivers are much closer to cyclists, pedestrians, and others who don’t have the same protection, so even a small mistake can have serious consequences.

For us, it really comes down to people. Our drivers are out on busy roads every day, often in areas where they’re sharing space with others, and we know that a moment’s lack of awareness can make a big difference. Focusing on these environments helps us tackle the areas where the risk is highest.

It’s also part of doing our job properly. We have a responsibility to make sure our drivers understand these risks and feel confident in how to manage them, slowing down, giving space, and staying alert to what’s happening around them.

This reflects who we are as an organisation. How our drivers behave on the road matters. By putting real focus on protecting vulnerable road users, we’re showing that safety isn’t just a box to tick, it’s something we genuinely care about.

What is one practical step organisations can take to encourage the safety of vulnerable road users, like cyclists and pedestrians, with their employees who drive for work?

One practical step organisations can take is to actively raise awareness of vulnerable road users through driver education initiatives such as practical awareness, toolbox talks and regular information sharing. In my experience, drivers respond well to engaging content like hands-on training, videos and open discussions, particularly when highlighting campaigns such as Operation Close Pass.

When speaking with employees, it’s important to encourage them to consider the perspective of the person they are approaching, whether that’s a cyclist, pedestrian or horse rider. Asking them to reflect on how they would expect a driver to behave in that situation helps build empathy and promote safer decision-making. This approach also reinforces an understanding of the potential consequences if something were to go wrong.

As a responsible fleet operator, we take this risk seriously by delivering proactive campaigns and practical demonstrations that emphasise safe passing distances. Our approach is tailored to real-world driving conditions, with campaigns focusing on high-risk environments such as congested urban areas, rural roads, school zones, and driving at night.

From a risk and compliance perspective, what are the consequences for organisations if risks surrounding sharing the road with vulnerable road users aren’t properly managed?

If organisations don’t properly manage the risks of sharing the road with vulnerable users, the consequences go far beyond compliance, they can have a real and lasting human impact. At its heart, this is about people’s safety. When things go wrong, individuals can be seriously injured or lose their lives, affecting families, colleagues, and whole communities.

There are also important legal responsibilities to consider. Organisations have a duty of care under health and safety and road traffic laws to ensure their employees are driving safely for work. If these responsibilities aren’t met, it can lead to serious legal consequences, including investigations, fines, and in the most severe cases, prosecution. For drivers and businesses alike, this can be a very difficult and distressing experience.

Beyond the legal aspect, these incidents often raise tough questions internally, about whether enough was done, whether risks were understood, and how those involved are supported afterwards. This can weigh heavily on drivers, managers, and teams.

There’s also a wider impact on trust. Incidents involving vulnerable road users can damage an organisation’s reputation and how it’s viewed by employees, customers, and the public. Internally, it can affect morale, with colleagues questioning safety standards and organisational values.

Ultimately, managing these risks isn’t just about meeting legal requirements, it’s about doing the right thing, protecting lives, and building a culture where people genuinely look out for one another on the road.