Adopt greener driving habits

With petrol prices at record levels and the trend continuing upwards, fuel-efficient driving is no longer an ethical nice-to-have – it’s essential, urges IAM Drive & Survive

As vehicle fuel efficiency improves, so must the driver. Businesses consider value for money and miles per gallon when they buy new company vehicles, but the answer to rising fuel is not just in fuel-efficient cars; it’s in the person behind the wheel. It’s time to make sure that fleets are being driven correctly.
    
Head of training at IAM Drive & Survive Simon Elstow said: “Drivers who spend long hours driving to meetings with clients and colleagues get fined and crash more often than other drivers due to a riskier driving style.
    
“Too often, large fleets suffer significant losses due to poorly trained drivers. Yet sending out safer, more confident and fuel-efficient drivers, is well worth the investment.“ 

DRIVER RISK MANAGEMENT
Some firms still believe they are covered for accidents as long as their drivers hold a current driving licence and their vehicles have insurance and MOT – it’s a blinkered way of looking at road safety that doesn’t comply with the law. The risks must be managed.
    
Driver risk management (DRM) saves money because the costs of road accidents are nearly always higher than the costs of repairs and insurance claims. These costs are higher for smaller businesses and the self-employed, so whatever the size of the business, it makes financial sense to invest in a DRM strategy.
    
Elstow said: “Fortunately, many businesses now see the link between improving the driving skills of their employees and squeezing every drop of fuel and safety from their fleet.”
    
“Skilled and trained drivers have a better attitude and look after their vehicles more carefully. With less wear and tear to the engine, tyres and brakes, the vehicles are worth more when they are sold on.”

RISK ASSESSMENT
An online driver risk assessment is the first step in assessing driving skills. It helps profile individual risks and proposes ways to tackle them. Each driver gets a personal skills programme that gives an audit trail and meets health and safety legislation.  
    
Some drivers may not need coaching while they drive and may be more suited to online e-learning courses.  These are tailored to individuals and are a refresher for understanding good road craft and driving regulations.

COMBINING LEARNING METHODS
A blend of e-learning an on-road training is an approach favoured by telecoms giant O2 which has seen reduced insurance costs and damage costs halved.

O2 health and safety manager Chris Jacobs said: “O2 has long since recognised driving on company business as being the most significant risk that most employees are likely to encounter and as such has implemented a number of initiatives, one of which is the e-Learner and driver risk assessment package.
    
“In the six years we have been using this system we have seen a significant reduction in incident reduction and severity.”
    
Where budgets are tight, e-learning can still ensure staff get the essential training they need to do their job safely and effectively.
    
For drivers who are judged as high-risk, hands-on training in real-life situations – with a qualified trainer – is best. Make sure your trainers are approved by the Driving Standards Authority and listed on their fleet trainer register.  
    
Elstow said: ”The economic case and safety needs for driver training are proven but there are other less measurable benefits like having a workforce of happier, more alert and confident drivers who feel the company is investing in them.”

REAL SAVINGS
Office suppliers Commercial Group operate a substantial fleet and before IAM Drive and Survive’s Ecolution training over 84 per cent of its carbon footprint was from fleet emissions.          

Six months after taking IAM Drive& Survive’s Ecolution course their drivers achieved miles per gallon savings of between 20 and 40 per cent, reduced driving costs by an average of £750 per driver, and saved more than two tonnes of carbon per driver.
    
Ecolution contributed to Commercial Group winning the Green Business Award for carbon emissions achievement and ambition in 2009, as well as the European Office Products Award for environmental sustainability in 2010.

THE METHOD
Hurtling down the motorway and stopping and starting abruptly puts a lot of stress on the engine and tyres and burns a lot of fuel. Going easy on the accelerator to maintain a constant speed – with gentler starting and stopping – is one way to save money. You’ll use the brakes less often, making for a safer drive. It’s a tip that works for any driver in any vehicle.
    
Choosing the right speed – of course within the limits – improves fuel efficiency and road safety. For example, on a straight road where the national speed limit is in force, 50mph is the optimum speed for fuel efficiency.
    
Another tip is to improve driver observation, anticipation and awareness as it increases safety and again reduces the cost for fuel and maintenance. It helps keep the car on the move which is more efficient as more fuel is used starting off and braking.
    
In addition, aim to get your staff into the habit of accelerating gradually to the most fuel-efficient speed while looking ahead. There’s no point accelerating into a red light or traffic queue. Anticipating junctions and lights will also reduce the amount of time they stop with the engine still running.
    
Most courses will get drivers into the habit of checking their vehicles frequently. They’ll learn the fuel-efficient importance of keeping oil levels and tyre pressure right – properly inflated tyres alone improve fuel efficiency by between five and ten per cent.  
    
Drivers will also learn to check brakes, lights and safety equipment and they’ll spot damage early.

IAM Drive & Survive is part of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, a national charity with more than fifty years’ experience in driver safety.   

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
For a free fleet risk assessment phone IAM Drive & Survive on 08701 202 910

ECO DRIVING TIPS AT A GLANCE

Go easy on the accelerator to maintain a constant speed – with gentler starting and stopping

Choose the right speed for safety and fuel efficiency

Improve driver observation, anticipation and awareness to keep the car on the move

Check vehicles frequently to keep oil levels and tyre pressure right

Don’t overload your car

Plan journeys ahead to avoid congested areas