VEHICLES branded unsafe in European crash tests face being shut out of fleet choice lists under a radical new safety initiative from Associates Fleet Services. Next month, the firm plans to write to customers urging them to use the crash test ratings provided by the European New Car Assessment Programme as a key factor in choosing fleet vehicles and creating a culture of safety in fleets.

The move is one of the strongest indications of the importance gained by the crash tests, which continue next month with the results for 11 superminis. Colin Tourick, managing director of Associates Fleet Services, claims much more needs to be done to encourage a safety first attitude among fleets, including a focus on driver training.

He said: 'Since EuroNCAP testing began, the results have become another factor for fleet managers to take into consideration when making their buying decisions. We have always encouraged clients to think carefully about driver training and from this year we are strongly encouraging them to use EuroNCAP ratings as well. They can not be the only factor, but they must be considered along with whole-life costs. The fleet industry is in constant development and we are helping raise the levels of knowledge fleets need to follow best practice.'

The 11 superminis being tested in the latest European New Car Assessment Programme crash tests are the Honda Logo, Daewoo Matiz, Vauxhall Corsa, DaimlerChrysler Smart, Volkswagen Lupo, Fiat Seicento and Punto, Hyundai Atoz, Lancia Ypsilon, Renault Clio and the Seat Ibiza. The Honda and Lancia are not on sale in the UK. This will be the second time the Corsa, Clio and the Punto have been crash tested by NCAP.