FLEET drivers feel more vulnerable at the wheel than ever before, according to a survey of 5,500 business drivers and 400 business vehicle operators. A massive 82% perceive themselves to be vulnerable in traffic, attributing this to road rage, overcrowded roads and declining standards of driving.

The Safe Driving Survey, sponsored by Fleet Information Software, revealed that twice as many fleet drivers are aware of road rage as 18 months ago - up to 68% from 34%. And even more worrying, over three times as many drivers admitted reacting to another driver's perceived 'bad' driving - 72% compared to 22%. These findings come in the same week that a motorist was stabbed to death in a road rage attack on an M25 slipway.

In a positive move, however, up to 82% of business drivers said they would take some form of advanced driving test if the Government introduced one. FIS identified a definite trend in favour of defensive driver training, among those questioned, with 55% advocating compulsory post driving test training.