FLEET managers are producing a hard-hitting safety handbook for drivers in response to Government demands for the industry to cut accidents.

Members of the Association of Car Fleet Operators are hammering out content in brain-storming sessions to pool knowledge for the handbook.

The discussions come as the Work-related Road Safety Task Group prepares to make recommendations to the Government later this year on how it thinks the fleet industry could reduce accident rates.

The handbook will provide a template for all firms looking to educate drivers on risk management and health and safety in company cars.

A spokeswoman for ACFO said: 'The idea is being presented to each of the ACFO regions to discuss and it is still very much at the discussion stage.'

The move comes as RAC Business Services reveals that companies are showing an increased appetite for information on driver safety. Over the past six months, the RAC has run 10 free-of-charge risk management workshops, which were attended by more than 150 companies. It plans to organise more courses before the end of the year to satisfy the increased demand.

  • FLEETS looking to cut accident rates are being offered a new 'health check' by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. The three-day Management of Occupational Road Risk Review, aimed at fleets of between 200 and 400 vehicles, costs £1,350. For more details, visit the RoSPA website.