Van fleets and the risk of corporate manslaughter

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Published: 25 Mar 2026 | Last reviewed: 25 Mar 2026 | Reviewed by: VanCompare Editorial Team

“Corporate manslaughter” is a term many fleet operators have heard, but fewer understand how it connects to day-to-day decisions like vehicle maintenance, driver checks and how work journeys are planned.

The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 came into force on 6 April 2008 and allows organisations to be found guilty where serious management failings lead to a death.

What an insurer survey found (and why it still matters)

This article originally drew on a survey reported in September 2013, where AXA Business Insurance said it questioned 300 businesses operating at least one van. AXA reported that 45% were not aware of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act, alongside gaps in administration, vehicle condition and maintenance routines.

Those figures are now historic, but the underlying message is still relevant: if you can’t show you manage work-related road risk, you can be exposed after a serious incident.

Why “driving for work” is a legal risk management issue

HSE is clear that health and safety law applies to work activities on the road in the same way as to work on a fixed site. Employers must manage the risks for anyone who drives for work.

HSE summarises key duties in plain terms: vehicles should be in good mechanical condition, drivers fit and competent, and passengers/loads carried safely.

The practical checklist: what good fleet control looks like

1) Driver administration you can evidence

The 2013 AXA survey claimed:

• 30% hadn’t checked drivers’ insurance details
• 8% hadn’t checked drivers held a valid licence

Today’s practical standard is simple: have a repeatable process that checks (and records) licence status, authorisation to drive, and that the right insurance and MOT position is in place for every vehicle/driver combination. HSE explicitly includes licences, insurance and MOTs as part of making sure drivers are safe for work driving.

2) Maintenance and “fit-to-drive” checks that happen in real life

HSE states workers must do checks on vehicles, have them serviced, and have insurance and a valid MOT — and that employers must maintain vehicles in a safe and fit condition.

Practical actions:

• Daily/weekly walkaround checks (lights, tyres, mirrors, fluid leaks)
• A clear defect-reporting route (and proof defects were addressed)
• Servicing scheduled by time/mileage and not left to chance

3) Don’t normalise vehicle damage

AXA’s 2013 findings included high reported levels of windscreen chips and unrepaired damage such as mirrors and bumpers.

Whether or not those proportions apply today, the operational lesson is evergreen: if your vans are routinely running with defects or visibility issues, you’re increasing collision risk and weakening your position after an incident.

4) Clarity on responsibility (who owns what)

AXA also reported some businesses didn’t know who was responsible for servicing.

In practice, “someone thought someone else was doing it” is one of the most avoidable fleet failures. Assign responsibility clearly for:

• Servicing and MOT scheduling
• Defect sign-off
• Driver onboarding checks (licence, competence, policy)
• Incident reporting and evidence retention

5) Journey planning is part of compliance, not just logistics

HSE’s driving-for-work guidance is built around planned, managed journeys and clear policies for safe driving behaviour.

If schedules and job allocation routinely force speeding, tailgating or fatigue, that’s a management risk as much as a driver risk.

Where to learn more (HSE)

• HSE overview: driving and riding safely for work
• Make sure drivers and riders are safe (policies, competence, checks)
• Maintain vehicles (checks, servicing, insurance and MOT)
• Corporate manslaughter: what it is (HSE overview)

Sources

1. HSE — About corporate manslaughter (Act came into force 6 April 2008; overview).
2. CPS — Corporate manslaughter prosecution guidance (Act came into force 6 April 2008; offence overview).
3. HSE — Driving and riding safely for work: overview and legal framing.
4. HSE — Maintain vehicles (checks, servicing, insurance and MOT).
5. HSE — Make sure drivers and riders are safe (policy, checks incl. licences/insurance/MOTs).
6. What Van? — “Half of van operators unaware of Corporate Manslaughter laws” (10 Sept 2013; AXA survey stats and condition/maintenance findings).
7. BusinessCompare — summary list of AXA survey findings (admin, damage, maintenance).
8. Croner-i feature (summary of AXA fleet safety findings including tyre pressure check frequency).

VanCompare Editorial Team

The VanCompare Editorial Team produces clear, practical guidance on UK van insurance and related topics. We work with FCA authorised insurance providers and use insurer information where relevant to explain cover in plain English and help drivers make informed decisions.

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