The Institute of Advanced Motorists’ Drive & Survive division has been investigating the true extent of company car accidents – and found a shocking 86% of fleets have experienced an accident in the past 12 months, while 100% of fleets have had an accident where one of their drivers was ‘at fault’.

The findings come in IAM Drive & Survive’s first report of the year, titled ‘An analysis of bent metal amongst company fleets.’

IAM Drive & Survive surveyed fleet professionals within 100 businesses on their approach to and experience of accidents involving their fleet. The report stated: “The research shows that many companies are not addressing correctly this significant and avoidable overhead by putting in place sufficient measures to reduce the risk of incidents happening, or more worryingly, happening again to the same drivers.”

The report was commissioned in autumn 2014, and has produced some fascinating results. Some of the top-line figures revealed by the report include:

• Only 14% of fleets confirmed they had not had any vehicle incidents in their fleet in the last 12 months • Every fleet had suffered on-road incidents that were caused by their driver, i.e. an ‘at fault’ incident • Nearly half of all fleets said the average cost of repair per vehicle was over £1,000 • Only 33% of fleets said at-fault drivers faced some sort of punitive measure, i.e. fine, excess payments, etc • Over half said they didn’t offer any post-incident driver training as a means of reducing the risk of repeat incidents

The report added: “Few provide any driver training as a way of reducing the chance of the driver having another incident. Is this a good situation for company, fleet, vehicle or driver?”

In 2014 IAM Drive & Survive conducted a survey in 2014 which revealed 72% of people who drove for business reasons had been offered no training by their employer at all – even though 44% of them said they would welcome the opportunity.

According to Government figures, between 2008 and 2013, 3,493 people were killed in accidents involving a driver/rider driving for work, including 515 in 2013 (1).

And Driving for Better Business says up to one in three road crashes involves a vehicle being driven for work. It added that every week, around 200 road deaths and serious injuries involve someone at work (2).

IAM Drive & Survive also discovered that drivers of company vehicles are 25 per cent more likely than company drivers using their own vehicles to have a minor accident (3).

Sarah Sillars, IAM chief executive officer, said: “Accidents involving company car drivers represent a sizeable proportion of accidents on UK roads – and it’s a problem which needs tackling in a meaningful way.

“Fleet operators have a duty to their businesses, employees and other road users to ensure those individuals’ driving conduct is of the highest order. Often companies have full processes and procedures for Health and Safety, HR and Environmental best practice; but often none in place when the employees get behind the wheel of a car or van?”

IAM Drive & Survive’s report ‘An analysis of bent metal amongst company fleets’ can be downloaded by clicking here

Isle of Man TT race winner James Hillier will return to the 2015 Bennetts Classic TT where he will once again ride for Greenall Racing.

The 2013 Lightweight TT winner will ride the Greenall Racing ZXR750K Kawasaki in the four-lap Motorsport Merchandise Formula 1 Classic TT Race and will be aiming to go one better than last year when he took a strong second place behind Bruce Anstey.

The Ringwood-based rider lapped at an impressive 121.469mph on his way to the runners-up spot and won the Joey Dunlop trophy for the first 750cc Formula 1 bike home and he was also the fastest bike through the Sulby speed trap at 174mph.

The ZXR 750 that Hillier will be riding has been built by Greenall Racing and has been extensively updated to compete at this year's Classic TT. The team is well established within road racing circles as they were originally formed over 30 years ago and since then have had many successes on the Mountain Course and the Irish roads with riders including Bill Ingham, Geoff Johnson, Steve Hazlett, Bob Jackson, Jim Hodson and Jim Moodie.

They also prepared the 926cc Ducati for the late Simon Beck, which he rode when finishing 3rd in the 1995 Formula 1 race, splitting the 4 factory Hondas as well as building the popular Lancastrian's factory ZX7RR Kawasaki's.

Commenting on his return to the Classic TT, James said:

"I had loads of fun last year at the Classic TT with the team and I'm really pleased to be going back again to hopefully go one better than last year.  Even though the meeting is fairly informal, everyone is still gunning for a win and it's really competitive between the riders. Classic racing on the Isle of Man is definitely a different experience to racing at the TT but the course is still the same and no one will be more pleased than me if I can get the ZXR onto the top step."

As in previous years, Greenall Racing is also thankful to be supported at the Classic TT by Jackson Racing.  

Do you have a shed full of stuff you’d like to have restored to sell but have never got around to?

A new Channel 4 TV show BARN FINDERS are interested in anything you have stored; from old wooden pallets to derelict cars and rusty bikes and everything in between!

Your barn clutter might be worth a fortune and the programme aims to restore and sell your unwanted items and return any profits to you.

So if you fancy a good clear out and/or would like to see your items restored to glory and potentially raise some cash then contact the production team on:

e-mail: [email protected]

tel: 01367 810 764

HCA Entertainment Ltd, The Studios, Chalcroft Barn Clanfield, Oxfordshire OX18 2PB

This is an HCA Entertainment Ltd production for Channel 4 Television. Completion of the application process does not guarantee appearance on the programme. Applications must be received by 31st July 2015.

Honda Racing has completed a two-day pre-Le Mans test at the Bugatti circuit in preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, which will take place in a few weeks time on 18-19 April.

All the main contenders were in Le Mans for this dress rehearsal before the 2015 season kicks off - there was no official timing for the test. The first day began on a wet track before the sun appeared in the afternoon, but cold weather conditions made the track very tricky.

Endurance specialists Freddy Foray, Julien Da Costa and Sébastien Gimbert mainly worked on the performance of the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP in race conditions. The squad also made the most of the test to perfect its tactical plan for the 24 Hour race in a few weeks time.

This test was ahead of the 24 Hours Motos launch that will be hosted in Paris tomorrow (2 April) at Goodyear Dunlop Tyres France. Freddy Foray and Julien Da Costa will attend the press conference where the teams Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP will also be displayed. 

The Isle of Man Insurance and Pensions Authority have brought in new Insurance Special Purpose Vehicle (ISPV) Legislation which enhances the Island's already attractive insurance business offering.

The legislation enables Isle of Man firms to facilitate Insurance Linked Securities (ILS) and similar transactions including catastrophe bonds.

John Garland, Head of Corporate Financial Services with the Isle of Man Government's Department of Economic Development said:

"We have been working and consulting closely with industry and the Insurance and Pensions Authority on introducing this legislation and already have enquiries in the pipeline. We believe that our framework for ISPVs offers excellent features for potential users as well as the proportionate and focused legislation that we are renowned for. This new framework promises to open up new business streams for the Isle of Man and provide welcome competition in this area, particularly given our close proximity to London."  

"We can offer speed to market with the licencing process designed to take just 5 days following receipt of fully prepared applications. We can also offer a highly competitive fee structure – that may be fixed for the lifetime of any ISPV with a determinable lifespan - along with simplified regulatory requirements, including returns.

I am confident that our framework will prove of great interest to potential users in this specialist area who want to place their business in a highly respected and responsible international finance centre with a long track record of attracting high quality insurance business from around the world."