THE results of a new survey released by fleet management specialist KeyFleets warns Swindon businesses about the driving habits of their company vehicle users.

Keyfleets, part of the Swindon-based Arval PHH vehicle management group, said that 300 fleet decision-makers were interviewed to coincide with the recent Road Safety Week and the results demonstrated that ignorance is rife concerning the safety of their fleets and drivers:

88 per cent said that using a mobile phone while driving was dangerous or very dangerous, yet more than half of those surveyed (66 per cent) did not advocate a total ban on mobile phone use while driving.

96 per cent of respondents felt that driver fatigue was either dangerous or very dangerous.

However only two of the decision-makers said that their companies had limited the number of hours that employees were allowed to drive on business.

40 per cent have not implemented schemes to raise awareness among at-work drivers of issues such as speeding and road rage.

61 per cent do not record individual accident information, in spite of acknowledging the benefits of accident management data as a tool for managing and controlling risk.

Vincent St Claire, managing director of KeyFleets, said: "The figures are even more startling when you consider the accident rate among company car drivers.

"According to the Driving Standards Agency, they are up to 50 per cent more likely to be involved in road accidents than other drivers on the road.

"The House of Commons Select Committee on Transport believes that accidents involving drivers of company vehicles are the largest single cause of work-related fatalities.

"This, combined with the fact that 77,000 fleet drivers are involved in crashes every year, should make managers realise that the time for action is now.

"Lax attitudes to safety could be costing British businesses significant sums of money."

Conclusions drawn from those who have introduced safety measures to date are positive.

On analysis, the survey found that 50 respondents saw a decrease in the number of accidents following the introduction of safety initiatives over the past year.

A further 17 reported a reduction in the cost of vehicle repairs and 36 respondents found that establishing safety guidelines resulted in lower insurance premiums.

The survey also found that in spite of extensive media coverage, nearly 50 per cent of respondents were unaware of the Work-Related Road Safety Task Group (WRRSTG) report, which was published last year.

The report contained 18 recommendations aimed at improving road safety.

Surprisingly, the research found that 84 per cent had not introduced any initiatives as a result of the report's recommendations.

"The WRRSTG report shows that the Government is starting to take fleet vehicle safety issues seriously," said Mr St Claire.

"Hefty fines or even imprisonment could soon await company directors who fail to implement effective fleet safety policies."

For further information contact Neil Cameron or Kirsty Marshall 020 7379 5000.