OVER half of the drivers surveyed in a recent study in Wirral had a problem with their car or van ranging from “easily fixable” to “dangerous”.

The joint study by the council, Merseyside Police and the DVSA came as part of Wirral’s Mind Your Business project, and asked those who were driving for work about their vehicles.

According to the council, of the 67 drivers spoken to over three days, 55% of all vehicles stopped had an issue ranging from easily fixable to dangerous.

Just under half of the vehicles had unsafe tyres, broken indicator bulbs or uninsured drivers.

It comes after the Mind Your Business project, which works with local businesses and employees to focus on road safety at work, was awarded £50,000 by the Road Safety Trust.

Cllr Stuart Whittingham, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “The project has had a big impact on those who live, work and visit Wirral.

“That’s why it’s important we continue to engage with business owners and employees about road safety at work and the additional funding from the Road Safety Trust will allow us to do that.

“‘Our main priority is that Wirral’s road users are safe and I actively encourage business owners to contact our road safety team if they have any questions about road safety.”

Mind Your Business was launched in 2015, and the new funding means the project will be supported for another two years.

It means businesses that actively manage road safety at work can have lower collision rates, savings on repairs and lower insurance premiums.

According to the council, evidence shows that van drivers are involved in 38% of all collisions whilst driving at work. Also, a “staggering” one in five of all collisions in Wirral involves people driving at work.

Mind Your Business was among the winners at the National Transport Awards 2017, with the scheme coming out on top in the Road Safety Category.