ROGUE company car drivers are responsible for inflating fleet accident and claims records by a massive amount. The 1998 VELO Fleet Insurance Review has revealed that 17% of drivers were responsible for more than half of all incidents and half of total costs, and the worst 'unlucky 13' averaged a claim every six weeks, causing 102 accidents and costing their employers over £350,000 in total.

VELO claims the figures provide powerful evidence for a highly targeted campaign to improve the driving standards of the minority of drivers responsible for the lion's share of accidents.

'This type of driver training policy can be highly effective and far more cost-efficient than a blanket approach,' said the report. 'It is also important to identify the kinds of incidents which are occurring so that training actually tackles the specific problem areas and does not simply serve to alienate the participants.'

On average, almost two-thirds (63%) of company car drivers make an insurance claim each year as a result of an accident or theft incident, at a typical cost of £560 each. Younger drivers up to the age of 25 are the highest risk, while drivers in the 51û60 age bracket are the safest, with women slightly more likely to be at fault in an accident (46.3%) compared to men (41.9%).