SMALL fleets investing in driver training are saving thousands of pounds a year by cutting their accident rates, according to CitiCapital Fleet.

The company says that fleets are facing mounting pressure to cut their 'atrocious' accident records and such a move can save companies money in incident related costs. First year savings made by two companies that adopted duty of care programmes include £29,000 by a distribution company with 17 LCVs and £27,000 by a distribution business with 64 vehicles.

CitiCapital Fleet has reinforced its alliance with fleet risk management company Drive & Survive in urging fleets to make drivers safer.

The leasing firm's managing director, Colin Tourick, said: 'The Government and the insurance industry are increasing the pressure on fleets to reduce significantly their atrocious vehicle accident record, and employers are likely to be forced into taking responsibility got the safety of employees who drive as part of their work, thereby fulfilling their duty of care.'

Tourick added: 'By implementing a duty of care programme, employees' lives will be made that much safer because they will be involved in fewer accidents.'

CitiCapital Fleet and Drive & Survive have developed specific Duty of Care implementation packages.

Drive & Survive sales director Stewart Scoble said: 'Fleet managers are beginning to feel the pressure on them to take a detailed look at driver safety and incident risk reduction.

'Putting in place a duty of care programme is an effective way of addressing companies' driver safety requirements before it is too late.'