Speaking this week at the eSafety Challenge 2010, organised by eSafetyAware and supported by RoadSafe, the company said fleets should look to procure vehicles with the latest electronic safety devices. However, it was also noted that it is up to larger fleets to share their expertise with smaller firms, which may not have the time or resources to keep up to speed with technology developments.

Balfour Beatty Plant & Fleet Services operates a fleet of about 8,500 vehicles. It aims to achieve “Zero Harm” to all employees, sub-contractors and members of the public by 2012.

The Balfour Beatty Group identifies vehicles as one of the top risks currently facing the business, and says it will use eSafety technology to help achieve its “Zero Harm” target. The group already specifies that all its vehicles have ESC fitted.

Steve Farmer, managing director of Balfour Beatty Plant & Fleet Services, said: 'Ignoring safety is a false economy. The more sophisticated fleet vehicle buyers are not penny wise and pound foolish. If all fleets demanded eSafety, the manufacturers will deliver.

'It makes absolute perfect sense that if we can reduce accidents and injuries to our staff then that will deliver savings to the business.'

However, in the debate at the eSafety Challenge 2010, the panel noted that it could be harder for small to medium-sized businesses to stay up to date and that larger fleets have a role to play in passing on the lessons they have learned.

Mike Waters, head of market insight at international fuel and fleet management company Arval, said: '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.'

Balfour Beatty and Arval are recognised as business champions, in RoadSafe’s Driving for Better Business Campaign, which supports and promotes the sharing of best practice amongst fleet decision-makers.