The latest version of the ACPO Practice Advice on Road Death Investigation Manual, which will be published next month, is missing vital instructional data.

It is claimed the new manual fails to give police a comprehensive procedure to follow when faced with investigating a scenario where a fleet vehicle has been involved in a fatal accident.

The lack of information means fleet managers are unable to prepare fully for a police investigation should a fatal crash involving one of their vehicles occur.

This will add to increased driver downtime, company expense and increased stress for those involved, says Saul Jeavons, the director of Transafe, a leading corporate road safety advisory company.