Europcar urges businesses to think rental

As April looms closer, Europcar, the UK’s leading vehicle rental company is urging businesses to prepare for the new Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide legislation.

From 6th April 2008 an organisation can be held responsible for the offence of Corporate Manslaughter if it can be proved that the way in which its activities were managed caused a death, amounting to a gross breach of its duty of care to the deceased. The law covers the workplace and encompasses any vehicle being used for business.

David McNeill, Corporate Sales Director for Europcar said: “Businesses need to consider the measures they can put in place to protect themselves and their employees from the emotional and financial consequences of an accident while driving for business. Controlling and monitoring the quality of vehicles being used by staff as well as how they use it will be essential. This is going to place a serious administrative burden on businesses that allow staff to use their private cars for business or perhaps operate a pool car.

“However, vehicle rental can play an important role in risk management, enabling employers to get staff on the road, knowing they have all the bases covered. The beauty of vehicle rental is that there’s no long-term financial commitment – you can have a car or van for a day, a month or 6 months. With roadside assistance and maintenance included, businesses can accurately budget for vehicles without worrying about unforeseen costs.

“While vehicle rental is not the sole solution, at Europcar, we believe it should be a key element of a risk management strategy, supported by training and robust travel policies to give businesses as much protection as possible in the face of the new corporate manslaughter legislation.”