Motor offences cost firms 16pc more last year
COMPANY drivers racked up £9.42m in motor-related fines and penalties last year compared to the £8.08m accrued in 2013, British vehicle leasing company Lex Autolease said yesterday.
The Company Driver Fines and Penalties survey, compiled from the data of 290,000 company vehicles, revealed that company drivers committed 144,955 offences in 2014, 20,525 more than in 2013. The 16 per cent rise was attributed to a surge in speeding and parking infringements.
Parking fines were up 23 per cent to 58,089 in the year, reflecting a trend seen among non-company drivers as well, and fueling debate over the issue of enforcement by local authorities and private parking firms. The number of company drivers cited for committing endorsable offences such as speeding, dangerous driving, or driving while using a mobile phone rose 16 per cent to 40,001. These offences are typically more serious in nature and can result in points on a licence or driving bans.
Guy Mason, head of fleet operations at Lex Autolease, said: “Businesses ought to be concerned by the increase in the total number of motoring offences, especially the rise in more serious infringements such as speeding and driving whilst on a mobile phone. With new smart technology motorway speeding cameras expected to be rolled out later this year, company drivers may incur additional fines and penalties unless they change their driving behaviour.”