ROADS minister Lord Whitty has thrown the Government's weight behind calls for fleet managers to take a much more active approach to the safety of their drivers. Speaking at the launch of National Road Safety Week at the British International Motor Show, Lord Whitty said companies must make sure drivers are not pressured into mistakes because of punishing schedules or forced to drive when too tired.

His backing for companies which take driver safety seriously was combined with renewed warnings from the police over the consequences of pushing car-based staff too hard. The Association of Chief Police Officers gave a stern message at the launch that company bosses and fleet managers faced a 'real risk' of prosecution if drivers under too much pressure caused an accident.

Brake, the road safety organisation which organised National Road Safety Week, has been campaigning for company car and van drivers to be top of firms' safety agendas. Lord Whitty said: 'Company car and van fleets have got to take more responsibility for the way their drivers use their cars. Firms are responsible for the health and safety of their employees. It is not necessary to bring in legislation, just make companies more aware and gain their support.'