Analysis by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) shows that driver error is a contributory factor in 74% of accidents, involving more than 117,000 casualties.

The analysis of the DfT figures also show that the second highest factor was ‘behaviour or inexperience’ which was cited as a contributory factor in 26% of accidents, accounting for more than 40,000 casualties. In London the number was 9,508.

The other main factors in the top six were injudicious action (a contributory factor in 25% of accidents with 39,354 casualties), impairment or distraction (14% / 21,916), road environment (13% / 20,253) and vehicle defects (2% / 3,230).

Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research, said: “A third of road deaths involve someone driving in the course of work and this underlines exactly why fleets should be taking driver training very seriously. While they might have a strict criteria to select the best vehicle for their needs, they must also recognise that they need to be driven well.  Driver risk management can help fleets to identify those most at risk and deliver individual training to plug the skills gap.”