One of the few benefits of the pandemic was a reduction in road collisions as the traffic on UK roads dropped significantly during this period.

However, as mileage returned to pre-pandemic levels in the second half of 2021 after the last of the lockdowns, Department for Transport figures show the number of crashes reflected this, with an annual increase of 7%.

Despite this upward trend, Speedy Asset Services, the 2022 Fleet News Awards winner for Excellence in Fleet Safety and Compliance, was able to reduce the number of incidents involving its vehicles by 23% in 2021 compared with the previous year.

The tools and equipment hire firm attributes this to continuous improvement on new vehicle innovations, along with extensive prevention and post-collision training and support for its drivers.