HUNDREDS of fleet operators have received letters from Sussex Police informing them their employees have been reported for traffic offences since an initiative was launched last year. The force introduced COSTS - Commercial Operators Safer Transport Scheme - on October 1 with the aim of saving lives and helping companies reduce their fleet accident costs.

Whenever a driver is stopped in Sussex for a motoring offence, police check to see if the driver is travelling on business. If the answer is yes, a letter is sent to the company informing it of the offence and encouraging bosses to take more responsibility for the management of its vehicles and drivers.

Since October 1, 308 letters have been sent out to companies across the country informing them of motoring offences - the vast majority of which have been for speeding. Insp Steve Long, of Sussex Police's traffic division, said: 'We are not trying to nail the driver twice because we do not name them, but we are putting the focus on companies to make sure they are not putting too much pressure on them.'