Firms 'taking driver safety more seriously'

An industry figure has claimed the introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter Act has forced more companies into improving the health and safety measures concerning employees who drive as part of their jobs.

Speaking at the Brake gala dinner, where Fleet Safety Product Awards were being presented to those trying to combat workplace accidents, Aidan Rowsome, vice president of GreenRoad EMEA, claims the new legislation has made companies make more of an effort to improve driver safety.

After two road-safety products were praised for their contribution to fleet wellbeing Mr Rowsome said: "Since the introduction of the new corporate manslaughter laws, many more businesses are taking driver safety more seriously".

GreenRoad technologies won the Fleet Safety Product Award at the annual ceremony and was praised in its efforts to reduce the one-in-four road deaths involving employees who drive as part of their job.

It is estimated that up to one third of all road-traffic accidents involve somebody who is at work at the time, the Health and Safety Executive claims.