It might be assumed that businesses who rely on drivers carrying their goods and services around the country would take stringent steps to ensure their vehicles are in good condition every time they take to the road. 

Sadly, however, that is not always so and the consequences can be devastating when an unsafe vehicle fails to perform as it should and an accident results. These can cause deaths and life-changing injuries, as well as potential prosecutions for the owners. Those working in automotive jobs will be well aware of these dangers - and the need for regular maintenance.

This issue has prompted road safety charity Brake to issue an appeal to at-work drivers to ensure their cars, vans and trucks are safe. It is seeking to promote high standards with a summer seminar titled Maintenance and mechanics: how safe are your vehicles and who's checking them?

Sponsored by the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE) , it will provide education on the importance of regular checks and maintenance for vehicles and take place in London on June 25th. 

It will focus on a range of issues from the legal requirements drivers and companies must abide by and the responsibilities employers have to monitor driver checks and report problems. Experts from the IRTE will explain how companies can keep in line with the law and achieve the ultimate goal of making their vehicles safer - and with it reducing risks to their own drivers and other users of Britain's roads.

Brake's senior professional engagement officer Ellie Pearson said: "We know at-work drivers are an especially high-risk group on our roads and therefore it is incredibly important that employers go that extra mile to ensure their vehicles are maintained to the highest standard. We would encourage any business that takes fleet safety seriously to send a representative along to this event."

Head of operations and communications at IRTE Ian Chisholm said the event should be "helpful to transport managers who want to ensure their fleets are legally compliant".