All the key news in fleet…

Karoq will put Skoda in the heart of the C-SUV segment.

Skoda Yeti to be discontinued this year

Skoda will drop the Yeti name when it launches its indirect replacement, the SEAT Ateca-sized Karoq crossover, later this year.

Around 200mm longer than the Yeti, the Karoq will be offered with five engines spanning 113bhp to 188bhp, as well as a digital instrument panel, hands-free tailgate and removable rear seats.

It puts Skoda into the heart of the C-SUV segment, against cars such as the Renault Kadjar and Nissan Qashqai, as well as with the SEAT Ateca, with which it shares a platform.

The surge in crashes suggests that there will be over 10,500 accidents on the 28th April.

Spike in accidents forecast for today

Over 10,500 accidents are estimated to take place today (Friday 28 April) in advance of the bank holiday weekend.

Statistics from Accident Exchange show that Friday 29 April 2016 recorded the biggest spike in accidents of the year, recording a rise of more than 75% on the average.

The firm said that the surge in crashes suggests that there will be over 10,500 accidents on the 28th April this year, compared to 6,000 on an average day, as motorists take to the road for their long weekends.

Mark Bromhall, group road safety manager at Royal Mail will speak at the event.

Fleet Safety Conference line-up to include FORS and Royal Mail  

Brake has confirmed the speaker line-up for its Fleet Safety Conference 2017.

The event, which takes on Thursday 25 May at the St John’s Hotel, Solihull, will cover topical issues including protecting vulnerable road users, company driver safety, and engaging with road safety in your community.

Confirmed speakers include John Hix, director, FORS; Mark Bromhall, group road safety manager, Royal Mail, and Tracey Fuller, customer engagement manager, Arval.

The conference costs £90 + VAT to attend for Brake Professional members, or £140 + VAT for non-members. To register, click here.

The latest ICFM Diploma sessions will take place from June 2017.

ICFM advanced Diploma programme for fleets

A small number of delegate spaces are available for the ICFM’s latest Diploma (Advanced Level) Programme for car and light commercial vehicle operations.

The new Diploma (Advanced Level) Programme group is scheduled for the following dates: Module One: 20-21 June, 2017; Module Two: 4-5 October, 2017; Module Three: 6-7 February, 2018; and Module Four: 29-30 May, 2018. The host venue for all modules is the BCA Centre, Wolverhampton.

Contact Steve Hook, ICFM education and training manager, for further information, programme summary and enrollment criteria at [email protected].