Multi-tasking drivers risk transport penalties.

Bibby Financial Services has undertaken research revealing 23 percent of construction company bosses eat and drink while driving, and 24 percent use mobile phones without a hands free kit.

The UK construction industry is still pushing the limits behind the wheel, with nearly a quarter (23 percent) of construction company owners and bosses admitting to eating and drinking while driving, and 24 percent using their mobile phones without a hands free kit, despite the risk of prosecution for driving without due care, according to new research from Bibby Financial Services.

New laws were introduced on 27 February this year where drivers caught using mobiles or eating while driving face a GBP60 fine and three points on their driving licence.

Furthermore, construction bosses are also putting their licences and finances in jeopardy with 25 percent confessing to receiving speeding fines, and 31 percent picking up parking tickets in the last year.

Nearly half (42 percent) of those questioned have also risked losing business by getting lost trying to reach meeting destinations by not taking the time to plan their journey in advance.

In order for construction businesses to keep up to speed with the new laws and ensure they are driving with due care, Bibby Financial Services has developed the following top tips: Review driving habits - managers should regularly review their driving habits, and those of their employees.

Log how many miles employees are doing, and only suggest travelling to face-to-face meetings that are essential to attend New legislation - business owners need to make staff aware of changes or updates to road and traffic legislation that will affect them while on the road.

Journey time - encourage staff to leave plenty of time for journeys so they will not be late for meetings, or get distracted if they are unsure of their final destination Car share - look to adopt car sharing schemes, this will not only reflect well on the business from an environmental perspective, but also decrease congestion on the roads and save money.

National Liftshare Day takes place on 14th June 2007.

Vehicle check - regularly check company vehicles are up to date with necessary tax, MOT and servicing David Robertson, chief executive of Bibby Financial Services, said: "Despite the Government's targets to cut unnecessary travel, curb carbon emissions and address environmental concerns, the UK is still clocking up a considerable amount of business mileage every year.

"There is an estimated 3 million company cars on the roads, of which roughly one in three will be involved in accident each year* and business drivers have collision rates that are 30 to 40 percent higher than those of private drivers.

To avoid accidents, fines or loss of licences, it's clear from our survey that some managers still need to change their driving habits for the better.".

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