The UK’s first criminal conviction and fine for corporate manslaughter has produced calls for fleet decision-makers to ensure they have measures in place to manage driver risk.

Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings were convicted of the death of a 27-year-old geologist and fined £385,000; the man died when a trench in which he was working collapsed.

CLM believes the conviction is a wake-up call for fleets to ensure they are managing driver risk and meeting duty of care.

“Every organisation with employees who drive for work needs to carry out a comprehensive risk assessment and do whatever they can to reduce risk,” said Rob Wentworth-James, head of sales and marketing at CLM.

“Managing risk correctly reduces costs and driver downtime and satisfies the organisation’s duty of care to its employees," he said.

Up to 750,000 company car drivers could be caught in a tax trap from April when they have to pay a proportion of their Benefit-in-Kind taxation bill at 40% for the first time, following changes to the tax regime.

A study by Fleet News, in conjunction with accountants, Deloitte, revealed a fall in the 40% tax threshold, from £37,400 to £35,000, which will take many more people into the 40% tax band for the first time.

This, allied to an increase in the BIK charge for company cars, which increases by 1% for cars emitting between 130g/km and 225g/km, means that, for many middle-earning employees, the taxable value of their cars will take them into the higher tax band from April.