Driver Behaviour

By educating your drivers about more efficient driving techniques your business can become more efficient in many ways.

Firstly, your vehicle operating costs may decrease, including fuel usage and vehicle maintenance costs. Secondly, as a result of encouraging different behaviours, your drivers may begin to drive safer; therefore reduce the possibility of an accident occurring.

And finally, by changing the way vehicles are driven, you can reduce your business' carbon footprint. There are a few simple measures that can be introduced that will make a difference:

Keep your revs down

Change up a gear before you reach 2,500rpm for petrol vehicles and 2,000rpm for diesel vehicles to optimise your fuel efficiency.

Anticipate what's ahead

By anticipating road conditions it is possible to drive smoother and avoid sharp acceleration and braking, which in turn can reduce fuel consumption, wear and tear on the vehicle and prevent accidents.

Limit engine idling

Drive away immediately when starting from cold. By idling to heat the engine, you waste fuel and cause rapid engine wear.

Stick to the speed limit

By keeping within the speed limits you can make your fuel go much further than you may think. Department for Transport state that by driving at 85mph rather than 70mph you can use up to 25% more fuel.

Plan your route

Plan your journey and try to avoid road works, congestion and getting lost. All of these can cause engine idling, which wastes fuel and increases carbon emissions. If you do find yourself in a jam, switch off the engine.

Check your tyre pressure

Apart from being dangerous, under-inflated tyres can unnecessarily increase fuel consumption by up to 3%.