FLEET operators and company bosses could find themselves in court facing serious charges if they allow company car drivers to spend too many hours behind the wheel, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has warned. The claim follows a conviction at the Old Bailey on manslaughter charges of two haulage company directors after one of their drivers fell asleep at the wheel of his vehicle and caused the death of two other motorists in a seven-vehicle M25 pile-up.

Roger Bibbings, RoSPA's occupational safety adviser, said: 'This is a warning to all fleet operators - not just of lorries, but of cars and vans - that action can be taken if they do not manage risk correctly. We know that many company car and van drivers stay on the road for longer than the recommended period of time.

'I can see no reason why similar action could not be taken against car fleet operators. They have a responsibility not only to the employee, but to other people on the road.' Bibbings' verdict follows a widespread belief among police forces for tougher action in the event of road deaths and just weeks before the Government publishes its long-awaited road safety strategy.