If a company has a van, which is being driven by multiple employees, any driver van insurance may be ideal and will mean there is greater flexibility when choosing who can use a van each day.
To prevent drivers from causing traffic accidents employers should actively encourage workers to adhere to the rules of the road. As a result, if workers drive safely while building up a history of no-claims, managers may be more likely to receive cheaper van insurance at renewal.
In 2010, according to the Royal Society for The Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), approximately 250 people died and 1,230 suffered serious personal injuries in alcohol-related traffic accidents in Britain.However, according to a BBC report, around 4,000 people die on the roads each year in France – with drink-driving being a contributing factor in the majority of collisions.If staff members need to drive through France, they may be affected by a new law introduced to combat the effects of drink-driving and so all drivers should be also be made aware of any applicable regulations abroad. The new law came into effect on the 1st July 2012.
From this date, anyone driving in France must carry two NF approved breathalyser kits in their vehicles or risk an on-the-spot penalty fine of €11 (Roughly £8).
To ensure drivers are following this new law, French police are planning to carry out random checks on vehicles entering the country via ferries or through the Channel Tunnel. However, foreign drivers without breathalysers will be excused from penalty fines until 1st November.
This regulation has led to many motorists rushing out to buy breathalyser kits, causing unprecedented demand. In just one week, Halfords sold double their annual target for breathalyser sales and are reportedly selling the kits at a rate of one every minute.
Currently, motorists travelling in France may also receive an on-the-spot penalty fine if they do not carry a high-visibility safety jacket or a warning triangle in their vehicles for use in the event of a car accident. The new breathalyser law was passed in an attempt to prevent accidents and will, hopefully, save around 500 lives a year.
Yet, according to a web survey carried out by the Institute for Advanced Motorists (IAM), 82% of respondents believe this law will not have any effect on drink-driving, while 70% feel motorists will only carry the breathalyser kits in order to comply with the authorities.
A motorist can use their breathalyser to find out if they are over the limit – in France the alcohol limit is 30mg lower than in the UK. If the breathalyser indicates a driver has too much alcohol in the blood, he or she must refrain from driving until the alcohol is completely out of their system.
Otherwise, they may receive a driving conviction if found guilty by the French authorities – which may substantially increase the price of their company’s van insurance policy and could result in disciplinary action.
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