Equality Bill threatens road safety

The government wants to give young, inexperienced drivers free rein to hire sports cars, vans and commercial vehicles - putting more lives at risk on Britain’s roads, claims the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association.

The BVRLA is calling for the sector to be given an exemption from elements of its proposed Equality Bill, which will ban businesses from treating customers differently according to their age.

"The government wants to create a fairer society, but at what cost?" said BVRLA chief executive, John Lewis.

"One in every three road accidents in the UK involves young drivers, and the government needs to recognise the consequences of forcing rental firms to rent any vehicle to all drivers over the age of 18."

The bill is expected to become law before next year’s general election and would be implemented in 2012.

In its current form the BVRLA estimates the bill could cost the vehicle rental industry over £71 million a year in extra insurance and repair costs.

Based on data supplied by its members, the BVRLA believes the rental and leasing industry has a strong enough case to earn an exemption from certain aspects of the bill. At the very least, members should be allowed to recover costs from high-risk age groups or restrict the types of vehicle they are able to hire.

Data obtained from BVRLA members and the Association of British Insurers shows that:

• Vehicles rented to customers under the age of 25 are 67% more likely to be damaged or involved in an accident
• The cost of repairing a rental vehicles is, on average, 55% higher when the hirer is under 25
• One-in-three road accidents involves young drivers

"If our industry is forced to rent or lease to drivers under the age of 25 without being able to manage the risk through, price, procedure or product restriction, the safety of Britain's roads is going to get worse," said John Lewis.

"As it stands this bill could result in unsustainable operating costs for many of our members and higher rental charges for consumers."

About the BVRLA:
The BVRLA is the trade body for companies engaged in the leasing and rental of cars and commercial vehicles. Its members provide short-term rental, contract hire and fleet management services to corporate users and consumers. They operate a combined fleet of 2.5 million cars, vans and trucks, buying 44% of all new vehicles sold in the UK. Through its members and their customers, the BVRLA represents the interests of more than two million business car drivers and the 11 million people who use a rental vehicle each year. As well as lobbying the government on key issues affecting the sector, the BVRLA regulates the industry through a mandatory code of conduct.

For more information:
Toby Poston – head of communications
toby@bvrla.co.uk
tel: 01494 545700
mob: 07979 756533