FLEET drivers must follow a 60-second checklist before leaving their cars to help cut rocketing costs from break-ins and vandals. Autoglass has supported the findings of the Lex Vehicle Leasing report, which claimed theft and vandalism could be reduced if fleet drivers did not park in places where they were exposed to criminals.

It now hoped that a series of guidelines, entitled 'Spare a Minute - Stop a Crime', which it has produced as part of its Cracking Car Crime initiative, will help raise awareness about crime prevention among company car drivers.

The guidelines include: making sure the vehicle is left in a well-lit and visible location, removing detachable items such as radio cassette and CD players and putting down car aerials and leaving windscreen wipers in park position.

Autoglass's corporate marketing manager, Ian Reid, said: 'The Lex Survey is a further reminder that if fleet drivers simply spared a minute to check their vehicles each time they parked, they could be saving their business hundreds of pounds in lost profit and themselves a lot of time and hassle. The first minute after a fleet driver parks their vehicle could potentially become the most expensive minute of the day.'