Fleet managers across the UK need to offer their staff effective training to ensure they are as safe as possible when taking to the nation's roads.

This is the view of the Institute of Advanced Motorist's (IAM) ongoing Drive & Survive initiative, which has published research showing how seven out of ten at-work drivers have never been offered any training regarding the use of fleet vehicles.

IAM chief executive Simon Best commented: "These findings reflect poor management decisions, as business leaders fail to act to adequately protect their employees and in doing so put them and other road users at risk.

"A third of accidents involve somebody driving for work and these results show that government initiatives to enforce driver safety are simply not working."

The IAM's research showed that 72 per cent of individuals who regularly drive for work purposes have not been given company guidance on issues surrounding road safety and motoring efficiency – this is despite 42 per cent of respondents who stated they would welcome such training.

Overall, just three per cent stated they had been offered such training in the past but had turned it down, while 29 per cent said they believe they would benefit from a refresher course on the Highway Code.

Other areas where individuals noted they would benefit from additional training were shown to be fuel-efficient driving practices (welcomed by 19 per cent), sticking to speed limits (17 per cent) and carrying out manoeuvres and parking (14 per cent).

It is therefore imperative that businesses get up to speed with the provision of training for their workforce in terms of driving behaviour and safety – especially given the fact that under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, firms can now be charged with the former offences as a result of a serious mismanagement in the provision of driver training.