FLEET managers should punish drivers who fail to drive more economically, according to the UK's biggest fuel card operator. PHH Vehicle Management believes fleet decision-makers must take action on their fuel expenditure, after pump prices rose by almost 20% - or almost 70p a gallon - in 1999.

Fuel duty increases and oil company price rises saw the cost of unleaded petrol rise from 287.3p per gallon (63.2p per litre), last January to 342.3 ppg (75.3ppl) this month, and diesel rise from 294.8ppg (64.85ppl) to 351.5ppg (77.31ppl), representing a rise of 19% for both fuels. That means the fuel bill for a petrol fleet of 100 vehicles increased by £30,603 last year, or by £24,765 for a 100-strong diesel fleet, assuming an annual mileage of 18,000 miles, and an average consumption of 32.1mpg for a petrol car and 39.7mpg for a diesel.

Keith Greenhead, director of PHH's fuel management division, said: 'Fleets' record of awareness of fuel usage is widely recognised as poor, but it is absolutely essential that managers get to grips with drivers who have a heavy right foot and fine them if they don't drive more responsibly - and also reward those who improve their driving.