Fleets ‘losing thousands of pounds’ through poor driving

Fleets are losing thousands of pounds each year as a result of poor driving, which is significantly increasing the cost of routine maintenance and fuel bills. 

That’s according to new business driver data from IAM RoadSmart, which has identified worrying driving habits, such as excessive speed, sharp acceleration and sudden braking.

Collating data from 4,500 participants in the road safety charity’s on-the-road ‘Driving for Work’ training courses delivered throughout 2023 and 2024, it reveals that companies whose workers participate in driving efficiency training see up to a 14% improvement, on average, in their MPG performance.

IAM RoadSmart says that this means a fleet of 100 vehicles can save up to £53,890 a year on fuel costs. 

Fleet operators can also see annual savings on tyre outlay of up to £14,400 from driving efficiently, meaning there are potential savings of nearly £70,000 a year, excluding initial training costs. 

Furthermore, it says that eco driving can provide additional benefits to firms’ environmental goals, with the potential to cut CO2 emissions for a fleet of 100 by 69 tonnes a year.

Nicholas Lyes, policy and standards director at IAM RoadSmart, said: “In the face of high fuel prices, many companies are taking steps to improve the fuel economy of their fleets, such as by investing in hybrid and electric vehicles and conducting regular vehicle maintenance. 

“While these are positive developments, a considerable number are failing to address one of the key contributors towards poor fuel economy – poor and potentially unsafe driving habits. 

“These include behaviours such as driving too fast, accelerating sharply, braking suddenly and poor gear discipline, which have a significant impact on fuel economy across fleets. 

“Even loading a vehicle incorrectly will impact on how quickly your vehicle gets through a litre of fuel.

Lyes explained that the data from its Driving for Work course shows that companies not engaging in training are essentially “pouring money down the drain” by letting negative driver behaviours go unaddressed. 

“By investing in driving efficiency training, business can take impactful steps towards improving driver habits and begin unlocking the big savings that come in doing so,” he added.

IAM RoadSmart argues that on-the-road training courses offer the most direct route to improved driver safety, helping employees to develop safer behaviours while bringing direct financial benefits to businesses also.

By supporting drivers in developing a calmer, more efficient driving style, companies can benefit from reduced incidence of collisions and associated downtime, improved fuel economy, and less wear and tear on vehicles, it says. 

Moreover, those driving for work may benefit from calmer and less stressful driving.

Find out from Fleet News how to keep drivers’ skills up to date with robust training policies.