A new range of motoring offences have come into force in the last week of September 2007 which makes checking your employees driving licences even more important.
Failing to provide the identity and information about who was driving a vehicle that’s caught speeding, jump from 3 points to 6 points. In the past, the Police are aware of numerous cases where motorists have claimed someone else is driving their car in attempt to avoid getting penalty points on their own licence. Whilst this does not avoid drivers “trying it on” if they do and if they are caught, the penalty will be much higher.
Many of our customers have told us that they feel the new points regime and new offences could easily result in more and more employees losing their licences, many of who are in critical or key positions in their companies. The feeling is that despite the fact that we all know we shouldn’t break the law, even just a lapse of concentration by a high mileage driver could see them lose their licence very easily.
The new offences include:-
- Maximum fine for failing to stop if requested by police increased from £1,000 to £5,000.
- Penalty points for failing to allow a drink-drive sample to be subjected to a laboratory test stay on licence for 11 years instead of four.
- A minimum six-month ban for anyone using a vehicle in a dangerous condition for the second time in four years.
- Maximum fine for not ensuring that children are wearing seatbelts in the back of vehicles raised from £200 to £500.
- Maximum fine for careless or inconsiderate driving doubled to £5,000
Source: Road Safety Act
All of the above emphasise the need for every employer to regularly check their employees driving licences and that doesn’t just mean when you first employ them, but regularly. Don’t forget, however loyal an employee, if they are faced with losing their job through losing their licence, they might just decide to keep quiet and not tell you. You just can not afford not to check your employees licences as it could be your company in court if the driver is involved in an accident. You can not take that risk.
If you need any advice, either look through the sections of our web pages, or feel free to call us or e-mail us.
Customer or not, we are happy to give you free of charge advice to help keep you and your business safe.