Does your job title affect the way you drive?

This affects the extent to which you are considered a risk to other road users and yourself! But are certain types of worker more likely to have an accident because of the job they do, or do they do that job because they are a riskier type of individual?

First of all, let’s look at some of the stats.

• Those working in the healthcare sector are most likely to make an at-fault claim on their car insurance policy. Hygienists topped the list, while hospital consultants, anaesthetists and GPs also feature on the risk list.

• High-risk non-medical claimants include land agents, reprographic assistants, wood machinists, traffic consultants, keep fit instructors and booking clerks.

• Those making the fewest claims include funfair workers, building society clerks, china restorers, parachute packers, carpet cleaners, abattoir assistants, bus conductors and mattress makers.

What does this tell us?

Well, it goes without saying that those who use their cars more are likely to have more accidents than those who take their cars out for an occasional Sunday jaunt. But are GPs necessarily out on the road more than carpet cleaners?

Those with faster-paced, energetic or high-adrenaline jobs such as hospital consultants and keep fit instructors appear to be more accident-prone than those with seemingly less frantic roles, such as china restorers or parachute packers. Is this just a coincidence?

The statistics show that there’s a chance the way you drive is a by-product of your personality, which might also inform your career choice. Perhaps you’re the laid-back type and have chosen a job that reflects this, as does your driving. Or perhaps you’re highly driven (if you’ll excuse the pun) and do everything at breakneck speed, whether you’re at work or on the road.

What can you do about it?

If you’re always tearing from place to place and experiencing high stress levels at work and behind the wheel, the chances are you could suffer from burnout or run the risk of having an accident. Of course, the two things don’t always go hand in hand, but if this describes you, it might be time to have a career rethink and to ease up on the speedometer.

Or perhaps you’re at the other end of the scale. You’re so laid-back you’re practically horizontal. You meander to work and through life, waiting for other people to take the promotions at work and cut you up when it’s your right of way. If that’s you, a career change might also benefit you. What really revs your engine? If you feel like you’ve lost your way, it’s never too late to get back on track.

Whatever you do, fasten your seatbelt, drive safely and enjoy the journey!

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Joy Tibbs is a freelance writer and editor regularly who contributes to Premier. Find out more at joyofediting.co.uk and find her on Twitter @joyous25