More than 80% of managers of very small businesses and SMEs still underestimate professional road risks

Occupational road risk still largely underestimated

With 440 deaths in 2023 (including 296 during a home-work journey and 144 during a professional journey)[2], road risk remains the leading cause of fatal accidents at work. A risk largely underestimated by managers of VSEs/SMEs, since only 18% place it in first place (versus 25% in 2016), even though the number of deaths is increasing (less than 400 deaths in 2016)[3].

On a positive note, however, the results of the study show a greater awareness among managers of their responsibility in the event of an employee accident: 69% now acknowledge that they can be held responsible in the event of an accident during a business trip (+7 points vs. 2016) and 45% for home-work journeys (+8 points).

Similarly, the inclusion of road risk in the Single Risk Assessment Document is making significant progress. Today, 49% of managers report having incorporated this risk, an increase of 28 points in 10 years. This represents significant progress, even if road risk remains a minority consideration, even though this inclusion is mandatory to ensure employee safety.

Leaders still not very committed to prevention

The study highlights a lack of action taken. Only 3 out of 10 companies have already implemented road risk prevention measures for their employees (29%). Although this growth has increased by 12 points in 10 years, it remains insufficient. And for 2025, only 3% of managers have planned such actions.

Regarding the actions implemented, these are mainly related to monitoring rather than the implementation of substantive measures. The two main measures introduced are the verification of the validity of driving licenses (78%) and that of the vehicles provided (75%). Supervision actions (reducing business travel), as well as awareness-raising or training initiatives, remain very much in the minority.

Managers who have not implemented prevention measures primarily justify this absence by a lack of interest or time: 46% say they have not thought about it and 21% cite a lack of time. Only 4% cite a lack of financial resources or employee cooperation.

Alternatives to driving and connected vehicles: still marginal developments

Faced with occupational road risks, new practices remain tentative. Only 7% of the executives surveyed reported having implemented initiatives to promote soft mobility, such as bicycles or electric scooters, and only 2% have introduced a "sustainable mobility package."

Furthermore, the growing sophistication of professional vehicles, increasingly equipped with connected tools, seems to have a positive impact on driving: 59% of managers believe that this equipment facilitates peace of mind when flying.

Raising awareness among managers, a key lever for strengthening prevention

Another worrying finding from the study: only 25% of managers report having been made aware of occupational road hazards. Yet, this awareness appears to be a key lever. Those who have been made aware or trained show a much greater propensity to implement prevention measures within their companies (50%, compared to only 22% of those who have not been made aware).

In practice, however, the desire to be better equipped remains limited: only 34% of managers express a desire to have more awareness-raising tools, and 21% wish to better understand the issues and regulations related to road risk. These results demonstrate a persistent underestimation of road risk in the workplace.

An awareness campaign on professional road risks

As part of the Workplace Road Safety Days, which take place from May 12 to 15, 2025, MMA is renewing its commitment to managers by launching a radio prevention campaign with awareness spots to alert managers to occupational road risks. MMA is also providing managers with concrete tools to support them.

For Guillaume Wirth, in charge of road risk prevention at MMA: "Too often, road risk remains a blind spot in corporate prevention—particularly in VSEs and SMEs—even though it's the leading cause of fatal accidents at work. For 10 years, we've been monitoring changes in behavior and observing a positive shift, but still too few concrete actions are being taken. There's an urgent need to change course. This year again, our campaign is calling on managers to make them aware of their role and encourage them to take action to protect their employees on the roads."

[1] Study carried out by Ifop for the insurer MMA on a sample of 251 business leaders, representative of French companies with 1 to 49 employees. The representativeness of the sample was ensured using the quota method. The questionnaire was administered by telephone at the workplace of the respondents, from March 24 to April 4, 2025.

[2] Source: ONISR figures 2023.

[3] Source: figures from the AMRP 2016 annual report.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.