Specialist insurance broker McCarron Coates says it is intending to get its clients and others in the commercial vehicle world on the front foot in January, as it goes into the New Year as the headline sponsor of a mock motoring trial, to be staged on 23 January. The broker has put its financial support behind an event called ‘Trial by Roadside – the Corporate Cost,’ which is to be held at The Council House in Birmingham.
Organised by Freight People in partnership with LMP Legal, the event will feature a motoring offence, punishment for which will be considered by an ‘appointed’ judge and jury, in a courtroom setting that McCarron Coates says is representative of one which could be witnessed anywhere across the country, in any week.
Attendees will be able to listen to evidence and witness statements and determine, in their own mind, whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty, and during the process, should be able to pick up on key messages and learn lessons, explained McCarron Coates director Ian McCarron: “The mock trial should be an eye-opener for many of those in the ‘public gallery.’ It will help highlight that, what may be everyday occurrences within fleets or driver behaviours, can suddenly create a situation that escalates and which jeopardises a driver’s liberty or a fleet’s future, if unaddressed. It should also underline the intention behind motoring law and the sentencing that applies to it.”
Fellow director Paul Coates added: “The mock trial really should erode any complacency that exists with regard to compliance and ensure that all attendees go away with lots of food for thought and things to put on the risk management action plan. It is a brilliant way to drive home messages relating to commercial driving.”
With opportunities for attendees to network and discuss the mock trial proceedings as the day unfolds, there will be opportunities for operators to share best practice and discuss their own approaches to some of the scenarios that arise. The McCarron Coates team will also be on hand to offer its advice.
