Corporate killing law surges ahead
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-; by Miles Brignall
Truck operators who flout the law and are then involved in a fatal accident are more likely to be sent to prison under plans announced by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
Speaking at last week's Labour Party Conference, Prescott brought the Corporate Homicide Bill one step closer. The new legislation will introduce an offence of corporate killing, making directors and owners of firms more answerable for accidents for which they are indirectly responsible, Although the move is primarily aimed at the privatised rail companies, it has huge ramifications for haulage bosses who knowingly send tired drivers out onto the roads, or worse. force them to break the hours rules.
The Bill will be brought forward as soon as parliamentary time allows' and following the publication of Lord Cullen's report on rail safety.
-Company directors whose negligence costs Byes must not be allowed to hide behind their workers and gut away with it scot free.'' Prescott told delegates.
Prescott said he also wants those convicted under the new stronger Corporate Manslaughter charges to face jail in the "majority rather than the minority" of cases.
Until now directors have often escaped prosecution fol
lowing a fatal accident—under the existing law, it has been difficult to prove that they were directly responsible for the actions of their employees.
Earlier this year two directors of Berkshire-based Roy Bowies Transport were given cnsprinded jail sentences for corporate manslaughter after an overworked driver caused a motorway pile-up by dozing off at the wheel.
• See Legal Bulletin {CM 14-20 September).