Car Insurance
Rising costs to hit fleet drivers, RAC chief claims
Tue, 30 May 2006
Fleet drivers in particular are expected to be hit by rising costs unless the government moves to dramatically reduce congestion, the head of the RAC has warned.
Speaking at the Business Car Conference, Edmund King, executive director of the RAC Foundation, said that delays to road improvements, increased speed cameras, record fuel prices and company car tax changes were hitting all drivers but company car drivers worst of all.
Fleet drivers typically drive further and for longer than other drivers on the road, making their chances of having an accident, and thus making a claim far more likely.
As a result, many firms are urging the government to take more aggressive action in cutting congestion not only to reduce the number of accidents, but also to speed up speed of travel.
Mr King said that measures such as merging or de-merging lanes, clearer road signs and better route planning would all aid the fleet driver, although any national road charging scheme must gain the trust of motorists if it is to succeed.
He emphasised that it is crucial charges are fair and do not discriminate against people with low incomes, while there must also be a clear itinerary for their implementation.
Mr King also called for an independent body to monitor pricing levels, citing the example of the London congestion charge as an abuse.
"How can the public trust any politician to deliver on road pricing when the mayor of London has blatantly moved the goalposts? Three years ago we were told that the charge would be £5 for ten years, it has since increased 60 per cent to £8 and now there is talk of a 100 per cent increase to £10.
"The only way road pricing can be advanced in this country is through an independent body to oversee the scheme," Mr King said.
© Adfero Ltd
