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Motoring offences committed by company drivers increased by 16 per cent in 2014
Company drivers accrued £9.42m in motoring-related fines and penalties in 2014 compared to £8.08m during the previous year, according to Lex Autolease.
The data, which is compiled from a fleet of 290,000 company vehicles, revealed that company drivers committed 20,525 more offences in 2014 compared to 2013 following a surge in speeding and parking infringements.
Parking fines increased by almost a quarter (23 per cent) mirroring a trend seen among non-company drivers, and sparking further debate about whether the rise is due to greater enforcement from local authorities and private parking firms.
The number of company drivers caught committing offences such as speeding, driving dangerously, or driving while on a mobile phone increased by 16 per cent. These offences are typically more serious in nature and can result in drivers receiving penalty points on their licence or a potential driving ban.
Guy Mason, Head of Fleet Operations at Lex Autolease, said: “Businesses ought to be concerned by the increase in the total number of motoring offences, especially the rise in more serious infringements such as speeding and driving while on a mobile phone.
“Company drivers are often under more pressure than ordinary motorists to complete each journey as quickly and efficiently as possible. Unfortunately the need to hit deadlines or attend meetings on time can sometimes lead to poor behaviour on the road.”
Mason added: “With new smart technology motorway speeding cameras expected to be rolled out later this year, company drivers may incur additional fines and penalties unless they change their driving behaviour.
