That's according to research carried out VansA2Z.com at the 2015 Commercial Vehicle Show, 82% of owner operators are unaware of Corporate Manslaughter legislation, yet if one of their staff is at the wheel of a company van and is involved in accident resulting in death or serious injury to themselves or a third party, the van operator could be found liable, especially if the vehicle is defective.
This unnerving situation will be highlighted at the upcoming DRIVEit @Bruntingthorpe event, where van owners and operators from across the UK will come together to evaluate some of the newest vehicles on the market, as well as meet key service providers.
The Institute of Car Fleet Management (ICFM) is hosting a Knowledge Zone at the event to help van operators better understand the responsibilities they have towards any member of staff who may drive one of the company vehicles.
Government data, supplied by the Vehicle and Operator Standards Agency (VOSA), shows that at least 50% of vans fail their first MoT roadworthiness test, with many older vans often exhibiting even more serious faults, such as structural corrosion. The vast majority of MoT failures relate to vehicle lighting, brakes and steering components, all of which could contribute to a major road traffic accident.
Statistically, around 300,000 vans a year are sold in the UK, with the number rising to 320,000 in 2014 and projected to be even more in 2015. That means, on average, at least 150,000 vans a year fail their first MoT, some with potentially deadly faults that could put drivers and road users at risk of injury, and their owners at risk of a jail sentence.
DRIVEit @Bruntingthorpe is a Light Commercial Vehicle Show where anyone who owns or operates a van, 4×4 pick-up, light truck or any vehicle under 7.5 tonnes can try out the latest vehicles. There is a tough 4×4 course, a rough terrain centre, a manoeuvring and handling course, motorway and a number of everyday simulated driving experiences to test light commercials back-to-back, giving visitors the chance to find out which vehicle is going to work best for them.
The Show takes place 7-9 July 2015 at the Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire.