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New car check service for employers
From April 6 2008 The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007
states that employers have a duty of care to ensure the safety of employees
driving for work purposes. Not only does this mean company car drivers but it
also includes the 'grey' fleet, namely the thousands of drivers who use
private vehicles including cars, bikes and vans, for the benefit of
employers. Organisations are now expected to check that all vehicles, however
procured, are roadworthy and well maintained.
As a result, if an employee uses their vehicle in pursuit of their job,
including occasional outings to buy the boss a sandwich, attend a local
business meeting or post a late letter, your organisation could be held
responsible if he or she were involved in a serious road accident in such
circumstances.
FOXY Lady Drivers Club provides a unique online package of support services
for female motorists so employers can demonstrate their caring credentials
and, potentially, reduce lost vehicle and employee days. Relevant membership
benefits include quarterly car fitness checks worth £60 pa; a legal motor
accident service including claims advice and expenses, worth £25 pa; a
friendly motoring helpdesk and a network of best-value and female friendly
garage services across mainland Britain.
FOXY's car fitness checks are carried out by Bosch Car Service, the only UK
garage network operating to a rigorous OFT approved Code of Practice.
Quarterly checks include safety and green components; tyres, lights, oil and
coolant levels, car emissions and a special seasonal check; that of brake
fluid levels during summer months, for example.
FOXY Lady Drivers Club Founder, Steph Savill explains "Professional checks are much more likely to reveal safety failings that a well-intentioned but amateur eye might miss."
"By sparing just 20 minutes every three months, members' cars are more likely to be fit for purpose and this process can be audited for corporate customers. That's not a lot of effort when you consider the possible consequences of employees running poorly maintained and often poorly serviced vehicles."
Now that The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 is law,
Steph suspects that rock-bottom tenders for company car business may not meet
the necessary standards of car maintenance, especially as recommended
servicing periods lengthen.
"We chose Bosch Car Service as our car check partner for three reasons;
firstly because they are the only UK-wide garage network to operate an OFT
approved Code of Practice, secondly because Bosch is such a trusted household
brand and thirdly because all participating garages have committed to
female-friendly service levels which can't be said about all UK garages in
our experience."
What does FOXY membership cost and include?
How to join FOXY