Are YOU the person responsible for the Vehicles Duty of Care used on Your Company's Business?

The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 became law on the 6th April 2008. Have you read any of the News Reviews and Comments!

We are two old hands who between us have more than 60 years experience in fleet transport and logistics.

We are building this website as a “One Stop Shop” to help make you and your fleet “Street Legal”.

We explain clearly, we hope, your duty of care and the difference between the facts and fiction!

Fiction:- “Only large Public and Limited Companies need to bother...”

The Facts:- Any organisation, company, partnership or sole trader from all sections of the workplace can be liable!

Fiction:- “On my way home from the office I drop off parcels at the post office. It is my own car so not a problem...”

The Facts:- Directors, managers, secretaries, doctors, nurses, dentists, vets, self employed carpet fitters, even the pizza delivery boy/girl on their moped, everyone is affected!

Fiction:- “It’s a car available through the company system so it is bound to be O.K...”

The Facts:- One Manager Controls Vehicles Duty of Care, the right car for the right job description, authorises people with the right categories of driving licence, in the correct car and ensures robust procedures and safeguards are in place to protect both employer and employee.

Moped, scooter, motor bike, car, 4X4, van, lorry, truck and artic heavy goods, whatever the shape it must be put through risk assessment and the types of vehicle insurance checked as being suitable and safe for both job and driver.

Regardless of who owns it, when used on company business it is, as far as the Police, Crown Prosecution Service, Health & Safety Executive, Insurance Companies and current law are concerned, a company vehicle.

And you’ve guessed it, the driver is seen by all of the above as a company driver!

It does not matter if that driver is an owner, employee, part time, hired, family member or friend. They are the company driver.

And in simple terms if anything goes wrong with the vehicle or driver, the company and individuals can be held liable!

Using a 10 Point Policy for Safe Vehicles Duty of Care we explain how you develop robust procedures, produce your own Vehicles duty of Care handbook with the necessary safeguards and different types of forms to keep the fleet roadworthy and managers and drivers safe.

We interview, organisations, owners and managers of companies, as well as those who help to influence and enforce the law. We will add a little vehicles humour to make a serious subject lighter!

We review the trade press, products and services that impact on vehicle duty of care from tyre fitting services to GPS systems. We will answer your questions and include your views.

If you own or are responsible for your company fleet please register your interest with us.

If you are the person who has been given responsibility for the company cars and told to “get on with it” but are not sure how, join us, grow with us.

If you are the seasoned fleet or transport manager with years of experience also join us, criticise us, make suggestions, share your knowledge and help us continually improve this website.