Changes to the Transport Regulations
05 November 2008
Following on from the changes brought in by the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 in April this year, there have been changes brought in under the Road Safety Act 2006 with effect from 18 August that will affect employers.
These changes are:
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that motorists who kill while avoidably distracted at the wheel by, for example, eating, drinking, using a mobile phone or applying make-up now face up to 5 years in prison
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that uninsured, disqualified or unlicensed drivers who kill by dangerous driving also face up to 5 years for causing death by dangerous driving and up to 2 years for causing death while driving
Further guidelines on this are available from the Sentencing Guidelines Council:
Also, the Home Office has put forward a proposal to try to deter drivers and passengers who put themselves and others at risk buy not wearing seatbelts by planning to double the fixed penalty fine from £30 to £60
It is our advice that employers include such changes into their Company Vehicle Policies or written statements of terms and conditions to ensure that the employees who drive on Company business either in Company vehicles or in their own, comply with these further safety requirements
Also, please review our article on Work Related Driving.
If you would like HR Solutions to help you include these changes into your documents or provide you with Company vehicle and driving policies and documents please call 01536 484552 or email us on enquiries@hrsolutions-uk.com.