YORK motorists are being urged not to dice with death when they drive to work.

City of York Council is launching a new road safety campaign targeting high-mileage business drivers and their employers.

Speeders and "amber gamblers" will be warned that taking risks while driving could mean losing their licence and businesses will be asked to review their safe driving policies.

The road safety officer for the council, Peter Zanzottera, said drivers had a one in 250 chance of being involved in a serious crash while driving to work each year, while there was a one in 8,000 chance of a company driving fatality - 2,000 less than the risk of fatality on a building site.

He said: "The pressures of modern living means that many crashes are caused by drivers taking what they might perceive as minor risks. For many people, losing their licence could be a disaster, leading to loss of work and their livelihoods.

"We want drivers to reduce the risks they take on the road. For example, they could stop using their mobile phones while driving, try and drive at the speed limit and try not to jump lights.

"Employers too have a responsibility to their staff who drive on business trips. Companies need to look at their safe driving policies and play their part in reducing risks for their employees."

Mr Zanzottera said information would be mailed to businesses and the council would offer support where required.

Labour transport spokeswoman Tracey Simpson-Laing said: "I am really pleased the council is finally launching this campaign - which is urging drivers not to take unnecessary risks - but I am extremely disappointed that it has taken ten months since I first proposed the campaign for it to be put into practice."

Len Cruddas, chief executive of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are very happy to support this initiative to raise awareness and remind us all of our responsibilities to drive safely."

Updated: 10:14 Wednesday, September 08, 2004