RAC Risk Management has thrown down a challenge for fleet managers to show their commitment to cutting costs after the industry said saving money was its key priority for the next year. Fleet managers listed a raft of key money-saving issues they wanted to tackle in the next year, including fuel costs and accident costs in a joint Fleet News/Lex Vehicle Leasing survey.

This week, the RAC responded by joining forces with Fleet NewsNet's print publication sister Fleet News to offer a free risk assessment and driver training package for the first five fleet managers who call them. John Ascroft, head of RAC Risk Services, said: 'This survey shows that driver safety, rising fuel costs and cutting accidents all featured in the top five issues for fleet managers. We offer solutions to provide a sustainable reduction in accident frequency, together with long-term financial gains through lower insurance premiums, tyre and fuel costs.'

The RAC is also putting its money where its mouth is by beginning a risk management programme for all RAC employees driving on company business that will focus not only on safety but also on fuel consumption. The co-ordinated safety programme will begin with an interactive seminar followed by a practical driving session.

Allen Bewley, head of RAC Risk Management, said: 'We have a duty of care to look after the welfare of all our staff and it is unacceptable that any of our people should be involved in an accident while driving on company business. We will be implementing a safety programme across the board aimed directly at the reduction of accident probability, that will also support our commitment to environmental issues.'

Fleet managers signing up for the driver training and risk management assessment will be shown the firm's specialist application Prophet, which demonstrates the total costs of operating fleet cars, covering tyres, fuel and the effect of accident claims. To register, call 0870 9015300 - the names of the first five registered callers will be notified at a later date.