AN average 1,000-car fleet could save up to £250,000 a year in fuel if all its drivers stuck to the national speed limits, according to the AA. Ray Combs, general manager AA Fleet Services, said AA petrol consumption tests showed that company car drivers who habitually cruise on the motorway at 85mph not only break the law, but also burn up a quarter more fuel than if they stuck to the speed limit.

For every 10 miles travelled by the average 1.8-litre higher performance saloon fleet car at well over the speed limit, it increases its fuel bill by 21p. A 1.3-litre car squanders 20p over 10 miles. Heavy braking for slower traffic and then steadily accelerating back over the speed limit adds to the drain on fuel, costing fleets hundreds of pounds.

'These figures will make many fleet managers realise that hefty fuel costs may in part be caused by their employees' driving behaviour,' said Combs. 'For instance, a fleet of 1,000 cars could save up to a quarter of a million pounds for the business if all the drivers stayed within national speed limits.'