Steve Clarke, group marketing manager, said: “This long and complex report has confirmed that colder winter weather and higher than average rainfall means more serious accidents. As winter approaches, van and other LCV users must accept not just that their drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents, but that the consequences are also likely to be more serious. This increases the duty of care liability on managers.

"If a post-accident investigation shows that a van driver has not been advised of the need for greater care during winter, it could be argued that their manager has neglected duty of care obligations.”