A SAFETY focused fleet has slashed its blameworthy accidents by more than half in the past four years – with just two at-fault car crashes in 6.2 million miles last year.

ICI Dulux Trade Paints UK (Commercial Operations), which runs a 245-car and 180-van fleet, has reduced the total number of blameworthy accidents for cars and vans from 59 in 2000 to 15 in 2004, despite annual mileage increasing from eight million to 10 million. The group has introduced several measures including a list of standard safety features to be fitted to all vehicles, driver training for all drivers and accident investigations.

All vehicles must have ABS brakes, driver and passenger airbags, head restraints, air conditioning, a high-level brake light, adjustable lumbar support and a safety kit for accidents.

Helen McGreal, safety, health and environmental manager at ICI Dulux Trade Paints UK (Commercial Operations), said: ‘We are very pleased at the reduction in our accident record, while our annual mileage has increased, and particularly delighted that our car fleet went through a whole year with just two drivers being involved in a blameworthy accident.’

Driver training group DriveTech, has provided the training for all employees driving on company business.

McGreal said: ‘The induction course is very powerful in both protecting our assets and other road users. Some commercial drivers have not been employed because DriveTech has reported that their driving attitude and control of the vehicle has been significantly below expectations.’

The use of all mobile phones while driving is banned on the fleet and every accident, both blameworthy and non-blameworthy, is investigated. If necessary, additional training is offered to drivers.

The group is also considering introducing a speed awareness training module and a new licence checking system in the future.

McGreal added: ‘We are not complacent and we will continue to be innovative in our safety focus across the fleet. We will continue to be proactive in our attempts to reduce further our light commercial vehicle accident figures, even though they have reduced by more than 50% in the past five years.’