Fleet Risk Consultants

I read articles about collisions and monitor the regularity of fatal crashes that occur on a world-wide basis.  The depressing news is that there are about 1,000 fatal road accidents that are being investigated as potential prosecutions under the Corporate Manslaughter Legislation.

The primary investigative body is the Police, but they are still learning the process and getting smarter in their pursuance of businesses who put their own staff and the general public at risk because of their lack of planning and forethought.

The number of businesses being prosecuted at the moment is still quite low against the number of collisions, but I predict the number will rise principally because 75% of businesses are still not looking at how to reduce the risk of collisions.  They are therefore exposing their businesses to potentially huge legal costs, even without the fines that go with such prosecutions.

There are also the moral issues and the negative publicity problems which go with those collisions, which will also effect businesses.

The smart businesses have taken steps to protect themselves and their employees as they have recognised the cost benefits of having a robust system in place, but they may have someone within their organisation who can work on this.  Other businesses may not know where to start or even what needs doing, that is where we step in to help.

Nigel Grainger

Senior Consultant

Fleet Risk Consultants

Over the weekend I was reviewing my copy of the Police – Road Death Investigation Manual, which I have to admit is not what you might consider as ‘light’ reading, but it is essential reading to ensure that I am prepared to manage any investigation that our clients may be part of.

Even if our client is innocent, the mere act of being involved in the investigation can be traumatic and time-consuming and potentially very costly.  Our intervention ensures that the process is as pain-free as possible.

This is because we understand the process the Police are following and can also help them with their investigations too.  This is why I read such exciting things as the Road Death Investigation Manual, so I can better understand how the Police investigation will progress.

The manual is very prescriptive in the process and does include an instruction for the Police to look closely at whether a vehicle involved in the collision was being used for business.  This means that if you are using vehicles in connection with your business and I can think of very few businesses that aren’t then you had better read the manual or talk to someone like me who reads it regularly.

Nigel Grainger

Senior Consultant

Fleet Risk Consultants