COMPANY car drivers are habitual law-breakers who frequently exceed the national speed limit on motorways, according to the biggest annual survey of fleet drivers. This found that 65% of company car drivers admitted to driving usually at 80mph on the motorway, while a further 10% drive even faster.

Lease Plan's 'Driving through the Millennium: 1998 survey of company car drivers' reports the views of 950 company car drivers, and found their average motorway speed was consistent with the belief expressed last year that 81mph was a 'safe' speed. The drivers are more law abiding when it comes to drink-driving, however, with 55% confirming they would respect a reduced alcohol limit, and 44% saying this would prompt them not to drink alcohol at all prior to driving.

This is enforced by a tough line from companies, with 43% of the drivers questioned saying they would lose their jobs if they lost their driving licence, a significantly higher proportion than 1997's figure of 37%. Sales managers and executives, in particular, are threatened with the sack if they lose their licences, showing the importance of the company car as a business tool for their job.