MANUFACTURERS have been slow to respond to calls from Brake, the road safety organisation, for support for its Road Risk Forum. The charity says it believes car firms are concentrating on the British International Motor Show, to be held in Birmingham next week, and it says it expects interest to pick up once the exhibition is over.

Working in association with Fleet NewsNet sister publication, Fleet News, Brake approached all the major car firms for help with funding the Forum, which aims to raise risk management awareness among fleet managers and drivers.

So far meetings have been arranged with just Vauxhall and Fiat. Other manufacturers will be receiving follow-up calls about the Forum. Mary Williams, Brake's director said: 'We are seeking £5,000 from each manufacturer to help with the cost of research. The response has been slow, but we did not expect it to happen overnight. Manufacturers are focusing on the Motor Show at the moment, so it is a busy time.'

The Road Risk Forum already has about 150 members to support its work to develop road safety initiatives through research, promoting best practice road safety initiatives and acting as a networking hub for fleet managers. Membership of the Road Risk Forum is £75 a year and details are available from Brake on 01306 741113