PEUGEOT has developed a defensive driver training scheme to help its fleet customers improve the safety of their company car drivers. Peugeot Driving Solutions incorporates three elements, starting with a full fleet risk assessment and consultancy on the type and level of driver training required.

The second element is the classroom based 'All Of A Sudden Workshop' for up to 16 employees; and the third is in-car 'Behind The Wheel Training'. Peugeot has teamed up with Peak Performance Management to deliver the new training programme, believing that a partnership with a professional driver training company will overcome the barriers that have impeded the success of previous initiatives.

Steve Lambert, Peugeot fleet marketing manager, said: 'In addition to the safety and corporate liability issues surrounding the subject of driver training, the cost savings that can be gained by reducing the risk of accidents are considerable. We see reducing wholelife costs for customers as central to our role as a supplier.'

He added that as much as 50% of a fleet may be involved in accidents annually, and that the new driver training programme will reduce the costs associated with accidents, cutting off-road time for vehicle and driver, insurance premiums, management time, repair costs and replacement vehicle hire charges.

'In the past many manufacturers, including Peugeot, have looked at driver training as an added value extra that we could offer fleet customers and this was done by a voucher system. The trouble with that was that often the vouchers were thrown in a drawer and never used,' said Lambert. 'A more effective approach would be to look at it from a solution provider standpoint.'

The fees for the training are: £600 for the full fleet risk assessment; £425 for the 'All Of A Sudden workshop' for up to 16 people; and £155 per person for in-car training.