The call comes from iPointlive, which recently launched new software enabling businesses to monitor, manage and protect mobile employees directly via their mobile phones, and comes as the fine for being caught using a hand-held phone while driving is increased from £60 to £100 plus three penalty points, with heavy goods vehicle drivers facing fines of up to £2,500.

Director Steve Cole has called for firms to think carefully about how they manage the welfare of their fleet drivers.

Cole said: ‘Every week in the media there’s another story about an accident caused by a driver who was distracted by using their mobile phone at the wheel – often with tragic consequences.

‘Lots of firms have a road safety policy in place – but many will have no way of ensuring their drivers are following it. Various legislation, including the Corporate Manslaughter Act, means employers must show they have taken all reasonable steps to ensure their policies are being adhered to.’

The company’s Mobile Employee Management software is one of the first fully automated apps on the market to turn GPS-enabled phones into monitoring devices. The software is able to detect whether or not phones are used on journeys during working hours.

‘By going the extra mile and implementing an intelligent employee monitoring system such as iPointlive to prevent mobile phone use when driving, fleet managers can be confident that they are not only complying with their Duty of Care, but are also offering their employees the most robust road safety protection available,’ added Cole.