THE BG Group, which operates a fleet of 6,500 commercial vehicles, is introducing Mercedes-Benz Sprinters fitted with speed limiters in a bid to improve safety and cut down on emissions. This year The Leasing Group, which operates BG's fleet, is buying 500 Sprinter vans fitted with a device which limits top speed to 72mph and over the next three years a further 2,000 models could be added.

The fleet's move comes as the European Union publishes its six-point strategy to cut road carnage which includes calls for legislation for speed limiters on light commercial vehicles. The decision to buy the Sprinters fitted with the £130 optional speed limiter was made by The Leasing Group's fleet services director, Peter Babbage.

He said that the additional cost of fitting the limiter was worth it from a safety perspective, as well as having environmental and public image benefits. He added: 'This will save the company money by improving fuel consumption - although the decision was not made on a financial basis. There is pressure, especially with the image of van drivers, to improve things and this will benefit our public image.'