On models where ESC remains an option the cost for fitment is typically around £400. During a panel discussion at the event, Tony Leigh, a leading UK fleet manager, in charge of vehicles at professional services company PricewaterhouseCoopers, suggested that to encourage the increased fitment of ESC to company cars, government could exclude the cost from benefit-in-kind taxation.

Campaigners say that it is crucial that the benefits of ESC and other eSafety technologies, which include warning and emergency braking systems, blind spot monitoring, lane support systems, speed alert and adaptive headlights, are promoted to small and medium-sized businesses, which often don’t employ full-time professional fleet managers.

Mike Waters, head of market insight at international fuel and fleet management company Arval, which is another business champion organisation, told delegates, “SMEs often miss out on a lot of available information. It is very important that larger fleets, such as Balfour Beatty Plant & Fleet Services, share their expertise with SMEs.”

Driving for Better Business campaign director, Caroline Scurr, added, “It is crucial that vehicle manufacturers and franchise dealers explain the benefits of ESC and other crash avoidance technologies to their fleet customers.”