Forthcoming legislation could result in fleet operators finding themselves personally liable if staff are involved in fatal accidents while driving company cars, training experts have warned.

Essex fleet risk management firm Driving Dynamics UK believes that proposals for a corporate killing law, which could come into effect next year, would extend Health and safety legislation currently covering accidents in the workplace to road accidents caused by exhausted and stressed drivers, with major implications for local companies.

Kate Johnson, managing partner of the Saffron Walden company, said: "The Crown Prosecution Service and the Health and Safety Executive are already of the firm view that an employer's duty of care towards employees extends to include their corporate responsibility in respect of the actions of their employees while driving company vehicles.

"While many companies have already grasped the seriousness of the implications the new legislation could have for their businesses and are already taking steps to ensure their company vehicle drivers receive training, others are adopting a wait and see attitude and could find themselves vulnerable.

"Directors and managers will find themselves in the front line as a direct result of the proposed legislation and would be well advised to incorporate professional driver development training as a major ingredient in their health and safety policy to help ensure their drivers minimise the risk of involvement in fatal and other road accidents."

Published Thursday December 27, 2001