Riddlesden businessman Stephen Auker was so concerned after being the innocent victim in two 'road rage' incidents that he set up his own company to monitor driving behaviour.

Now Stephen, of Grange Road, is offering his 'Safe Drive' service to companies with commercial vehicles in a bid to improve the driving standards of professionals.

He says: "With so many professional drivers on the road, no sensible company - especially those with logos on their vehicles - can afford negative publicity linked to their products, services or image as it destroys years of hard work."

Stephen says the scheme will help improve a company's image and save money, which could be used for a driver incentive programme.

His company will supply firms joining the scheme with stickers which ask 'How's My Driving?' and encourage other road users to comment either favourably or unfavourably.

Stephen promises his telephones will take calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The operators will quickly assess if a call is complimentary or a complaint, and are trained to deal with angry or emotional callers and pacify them if required. Details of each call are put on computer, and a full written report sent to the company whose vehicle is involved.

Callers are also told the incident is being dealt with and investigated. But Stephen is anxious to stress that many of the calls received will be complimentary, and as such the service conveys a positive message about the companies taking part.

He says: "I am amazed how much initial interest there has been about the scheme. We have signed our first contract this week with a courier company, and are in negotiations with several others - one with 1,500 vehicles, one with over 800 and another local firm with 400. There has been a huge interest already." Stephen wants to hear from any local or regional companies interested in learning more about his scheme, and can be contacted on 01535 216161.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.