FLEETS must play a major part in educating their drivers about the forthcoming ban on using hand-held mobile phones while driving.

Bank of Scotland Vehicle Management is warning fleet decision-makers that they need to give more than just passive support to their drivers. Head of customer relationships, Nigel Underdown, said: 'If a driver chooses to take the risk they deserve to be fined, but employers have to ensure drivers are fully aware of its implications.

'Drivers have to be alerted to the fact that habitual transgression will result in the loss of their licence and possibly their job.'

Underdown said the onus was on employers to do everything they can to reduce the need for their drivers to use hand-held mobile phones in the first place.

He said: 'Our research shows that some 28% of essential business users still use hand-held phones, which is plainly ridiculous. As an elementary step, companies must adopt the principle than if an employee has a company car and a company-issued mobile phone, then it should be a proper hands-free device.'