NATIONAL Car Rental is launching an initiative to promote defensive driver training among more than 70 per cent of its 3,500 employees.

These members of staff are required to drive as part of their jobs, and the driver training programme comprises a mixture of compulsory and voluntary training modules.

The course, designed by National, will include motorway driving, maintenance checks, driver safety awareness and actions to take in an accident. It will also include tests on the Highway Code, advice from a road safety officer and a video to promote driver safety.

Ian Burns, southern regional training officer, said: 'Recent research conducted by National revealed that 84 per cent of companies do not offer employees the opportunity to develop their road skills. This is an alarming figure considering that nearly 75 per cent of staff are required to travel up to 18,000 business miles a year.'