A HARD-hitting investigation by the Scottish Executive has thrown the spotlight on the 'crash magnets' who could cost their employers millions of pounds a year.

The report, compiled in conjunction with the Scottish Road Safety Campaign, found that men received seven times more convictions for excessive speed than females. They are also more likely to be driving as part of their job when they are caught. Only 18% of females claimed to drive 'most days' for work, compared with 39% of males, according to the survey.

The report, called 'The Speeding Driver: Who, How and Why?' warns: 'A sample of police records for 2001 show most speeding offences occurred in built-up areas and that offending levels were highest during the weekday inter-peak period.' The survey, which investigated several areas including police records, household surveys, interviews with crash victims and focus groups, highlighted the importance of time management across fleets.

It said: 'More than half the drivers said they would drive faster when running behind schedule (58%) or when late for an appointment (57%). Also, 80% of 17 to 20-year-old males said they would drive faster if running behind schedule.'

The report recommends action to alter the driving style of speeding offenders and suggests driver training programmes could affect the level of accidents on Scotland's roads.

It added: 'The content of training courses could be informed by such findings. We now have a good understanding of the causes of speeding and of which aspects identify 'crash magnets'. The best way to reduce their risk is to adjust their driving styles.'

In a recent survey by training provider Pro-Drive, which tested drivers' real-world awareness of speed limits, 58% of drivers admitted that they were unaware that they were breaking the speed limit (Fleet NewsNet September 2).