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A benchmarking website set up by road safety charity Brake has found that 35% of fleet operators do not fully comply with safety laws. Brake set up the Fleet Safety Benchmarking project with Interactive Driving Systems and Department for Transport funding in April to help companies that run vehicle fleets manage their road risk effectively.

So far 170 fleet managers have signed up and answered the 10 Fleet Safety Audit questions. A spokesman says: "The free project enables operators to  carry out self-audits relating to their fleet safety policies and procedures, and anonymously benchmark their company's crash data and safety procedures with those of other companies."

He adds that it is alarming how many companies are failing to lay down basic safety precautions. "These results are taken from a fleet safety website, and therefore from fleet managers who take safety seriously - it is worrying to think that a random survey of fleet managers could paint a much worse picture. "However, we're encouraged that hundreds of companies are signing up to the project and taking advantage of the service to improve their fleet safety policies and procedures."

Brake now hopes the website will highlight areas of concern for companies and enable them to keep up with best fleet safety practice. The spokesman says firms that take fleet safety seriously will not only benefit from fewer company crashes, but also from reduced costs, a better reputation and higher staff morale  - as well as fulfilling their legal duty of care.  "We would urge fleet operators that haven't yet used the website to sign up," he concludes.

Other results from the survey show:

• 53% of companies do not have written, signed and dated safety, health and environmental management policies.
• 56% do not optimise work schedules and travel requirements.
• Only 54% give new employees a formal induction.
• Only 58% have a system in place to maintain driver records.