GOVERNMENT ministers are studying a report that calls on the police and health and safety officers to prosecute employers that fail in their duties of care to at-work drivers.

Last week the Work-related Road Safety Task Group presented its report to the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, and to the Health and Safety Commission. The two bodies will assess the 18 recommendations before devising a plan of action to reduce the number of serious accidents and fatalities among company car and van drivers.

But it could be months before the DTLR or HSE accept and endorse any of the recommendations, with both pledging to consult widely. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has called on the Government to give its full support to the recommendations.

Roger Bibbings, RoSPA occupational safety adviser, urged the Government to work with the fleet sector, insurers, employer organisations, trades unions, local authorities and safety organisations to develop a national action programme.

'Employers already managing health and safety well will have nothing to fear. Employers who choose to ignore road safety will be on notice to change their ways or they could end up in court,' said Bibbings.