KEY company car-driving employees could become unemployable if they have a consistently bad accident record as companies protect themselves from prosecution under plans to revolutionise health and safety legislation.

Fleet management firm Fleet Support Group has warned that companies may face a battle between employing the right staff for a particular role and making sure they are safe on the road. It says it is 'banking' best ways of protecting companies, their directors and fleet managers from risk of prosecution under any future health and safety legislation.

But Geoffrey Bray, marketing director of FSG, warned: 'Some people could become unemployable, however good they are at their jobs, if their work entails driving and they are irresponsible at the wheel. Corporate responsibility has to be taken very seriously now and it should be equally as important as coping with the changes to company car tax next year.'

Company fleets are coming under intense scrutiny following research that revealed up to a third of road accidents could involve at-work drivers. The Work-related Road Safety Task Group will issue recommendations to the Government later this year on how its feels the industry should tighten up its approach to driver safety.