Christie Intruder Alarms (CIA) has reported a 60% reduction in its at-fault accident rate since installing Lightfoot across its 100-strong fleet of Vauxhall Astra car-derived vans.

Based in Portsmouth, CIA is a family-owned business that has been delivering security solutions throughout the South of England for over 45 years.

Its fleet manager, Andy Jenkins, came across Lightfoot during his research into driver training and duty of care. He said: “We ran an eight-month trial of Lightfoot which demonstrated consistent monthly fuel savings of 12%, so we knew the technology would pay for itself in no time.”

He continued: “Through experience, I know that people change their habits for a short time only. As humans we generally know what we’re supposed to be doing but we often don’t do it.

“Driver training is a quick fix; its impact lasts for maybe three or four weeks. Whereas Lightfoot is a long-term fix; it provides continuous reminders to help drivers maintain a safe and efficient style.”

Jenkins explained that the rationale for trialling and then installing Lightfoot was to improve the overall running of his fleet, from a safety and environmental point of view.

He said: “Financial savings on fuel were also important in the sense that the installation needed to be self-funding and because the savings we make on fuel mean we can keep prices down for our customers.”

Lower monthly fuel costs have been an indicator of the improved efficiency of CIA’s fleet since installing Lightfoot. There are also early indications of improved vehicle wear and tear, with maintenance costs gradually decreasing.

Jenkins continued: “It’s been four months since we completed the installation of Lightfoot across our fleet, so the reduction in our accident rate could be a coincidence.

“However, now that our drivers are much more aware of their driving style, it follows that there will be a lower risk of accidents. The picture will become even clearer when we have 12-month data.”

CIA’s drivers have also taken to Lightfoot very well. Jenkins explained: “We’re certainly not using Lightfoot as a big stick; we’re using it to benefit our drivers.

“We reward the four most efficient drivers each month with a cash incentive to keep them motivated to drive more safely and economically all the time.

“Our most efficient drivers are consistently managing 70 miles per gallon, whereas the least efficient manage around 35 miles per gallon.”

CIA’s fleet drivers also have private use of their vehicles outside working hours. Jenkins said: “We used to charge our drivers for their private mileage at a fixed rate but now each driver is charged according to their Lightfoot efficiency score.

“Our most efficient driver has an average monthly efficiency score of 99.3%, which means an extra £100 per month in his wages. This salary cash incentive is a significant personal benefit and it’s open to every driver.”

Following its trial of Lightfoot, CIA was awarded a Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) grant by Portsmouth City Council to install the technology across its fleet.

Mark Roberts, managing director of Ashwoods Lightfoot, said: “It is encouraging to see Portsmouth City Council get behind a new initiative like this which supports safer, sustainable and more efficient driving.

“In fact, they are the only council that we are aware of who were progressive enough to look at driver behaviour when they applied for their LSTF funding so we are extremely pleased to be working with them and CIA on this project."

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