THE fleet driver training industry is not ready to cope with the potential 'big bang' in demand if tough new health and safety legislation is introduced. With driver training for company car drivers under the microscope from Government, police and the Health and Safety Executive, the managing director of one of the UK's largest providers of driver training says the industry will not be able to cope with demand.

Andy Neale, managing director of Drive & Survive, said: 'Last year we trained a record 32,000 drivers and we will train a similar number this year. There is a massive amount of business but driver training is a cottage industry. We have about 100 instructors some of whom work only a couple of days a week through choice and we are advertising a the moment for quality instructors who are good communicators.

'More and more fleet managers and their finance directors are now realising that driver training as part of an overall risk management strategy not only makes financial sense and helps boost fleet efficiency, but it makes their staff safer, helps the environment and boosts the morale of their drivers who see the company is investing in them. But if the industry takes off through health and safety legislation this industry is not ready. We need more instructors.'