Write to Stephen Briers

Vans database is welcome but could still be better

With a combined van fleet of well over 300,000 vehicles, our members will very much welcome the recent publication of van CO2 information (Fleet News, June 11). It will help them purchase the most environmentally-friendly and economical vehicles for the job. 

Announcing the news, SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said that van makers were “committed to providing information that will help buyers make better informed choices”. 

The truth of the matter is that the BVRLA and other van users have been asking for this information for a number of years. In most cases we were fobbed off, with the SMMT in particular claiming that users wouldn’t know how to use the data properly if they had it. 

Even now that the database is up and running, we still believe that van makers could have done a better job if they had talked to users more about the information they needed.

For example, the database omits vital payload information, which any van user needs to take into account when choosing a vehicle.

I don’t wish to appear too negative in the face of what is obviously a positive step from vehicle manufacturers. If I had to write a report card I would give them a big tick – but I would still add “could do better”.

 

John Lewis
Chief executive, BVRLA

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Changing the way drivers think

While I have immense respect for Dr Lisa Dorn (‘Analysis is the best way to improve driving’, Fleet News, (June 4).

I am puzzled by the references to the ‘traditional training approach which centres on vehicle handling skills’.

DriveTech, and I’m sure many other reputable driver risk management providers, very rarely delivers any skills-based training of any sort these days.Whether it is as a result of online, in-vehicle or workshop-based training, the aim is the same – to get drivers to pro-actively manage risk by changing the way they think while behind the wheel. If they heed our advice they are unlikely to ever get in a situation where they need any sort of vehicle handling skill enhancement.

So by adopting a different approach they not only become safer in themselves, but also reduce their environmental impact, and thus reduce outgoings for whoever is responsible for the vehicle.

Steve Johnson
Director of communications, DriveTech (UK)

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Foreign drivers

There have been some terrible stories in the news this year about foreign drivers causing deaths on UK roads.

While proposals have been published that would see foreign drivers who break UK road rules facing fines and the immobilisation of their vehicles, the punitive route is not the only solution.

There is a great deal more that the Government could do to make foreign drivers safer, rather than just penalise them in line with UK licence holders.

Education is key and we’d like to see video and poster campaigns at ports, on ferries, the Channel Tunnel and motorway services. We’d also like to see some form of UK familiarisation training enforced for any foreign driver who causes an offence and makes frequent trips into the country.

 

Graham Hurdle
Managing director, E-Training World

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