The online driver profiling and e-driver training specialist said that most companies operating vehicle fleets suffer high percentages of accidents involving a rear-end collision, which is why training drivers to stop having them is at the top of most fleet manager’s wish list.

“Apart from the very rare occasions when vehicle failure is to blame, accidents are always caused by driver error,” said Graham Hurdle, managing director of E-Training World.

“This means poor driving is the reason why rear end collisions occur, and why it is also possible to stop them happening.

“Driving too close, not driving at a speed appropriate for the road or weather conditions, being distracted by mobile phones, sat navs or other in-vehicle technology, poor hazard perception and other distractions, such as rubbernecking on the motorway, are all reasons why a driver runs into the back of the vehicle in front and can be avoided through driver training.

“Because it’s so prevalent in many fleets, some fleet managers are now insisting that all drivers, irrespective of their risk level or accident history, take the online course as a preventative measure.”

The second most popular E-Training World course is parking and manoeuvring. UK road signs and markings is in third place, catering for drivers whose basic knowledge seems to have waned since taking their test – a course that many companies combine with a re-read of the Highway Code.

In fourth place is hazard perception, and in fifth concentration and observation.