Firms 'making company cars safer'

Businesses are putting a bigger emphasis on car safety and ensuring their vehicles are roadworthy, it has been claimed.

Tyre fitter Kwik-Fit has reported a huge boom in the number of firms which are demanding tyre checks and vehicle inspections in their company car parks.

According to the Transport News Network, Kwik-Fit has had to increase its fleet by 30 vehicles to cope with the surge.

Speaking to the website, Mike Wise, head of the Kwik-Fit fleet, said: "Tyres are the only part of a vehicle that are in contact with the road so it is essential that they are in tip-top condition.

"Ensuring tyres meet the legal requirements is a vital part of any corporate risk strategy."

He added that the condition of the tyres is usually the first thing that the police investigate in the event of an accident.

Demand for safety checks is expected to increase yet further in April when the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act comes into effect.