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Arming your drivers with smart driving techniques will empower them improve their vehicles fuel efficiency and coupled with an incentive – will really help improve your statistics quickly and easily.

These are our 6 tips to ensure their journey is as fuel efficient as possible:

TIP 1:

Anticipating other drivers

Make your drivers smart, with the ability to anticipate potential hazards to avoid the stop-go driving pattern of sharp braking and frequent acceleration, which leads to higher fuel consumption.  Drivers that spot hazards earlier and allowing enough time for stopping improve a vehicles fuel efficiency.

TIP 2:

Using momentum

When driving down hill, the modern technology in today’s vehicles will recognise the momentum and a fuel-cut off switch will usually kick in when the driver takes their foot off the accelerator.  This automatically stops the flow of fuel to the injectors in the engine, making the vehicle immediately more fuel efficient.  When drivers drive in the correct gear and take their foot off the accelerator when the vehicle has momentum going down hill or they’re slowing down, rather than coasting in neutral – they will assist every single time in your fuel efficient quest.  

When drivers are stuck in traffic or are in low rev’s it is more fuel efficient to dip the clutch or put the car into neutral.

TIP 3:

Speeding up

Drag – or air resistance – increases naturally when the speed of the vehicle increases, particularly on a motorway, where the majority of fuel is burned to overcome drag.  Therefore, quick acceleration and high cruising speeds will lead to more drag and fuel consumption.  You could consider fitting wind deflectors to your vehicle which can help to reduce drag and encourage drivers to keep the rev counter in the green band.

TIP 4:

Tyre check

We know we keep saying this – but it’s so important to have correctly inflated tyres for the load you’re drivers are carrying.  If tyres are under inflated then the engine has to work harder to overcome the resistance under inflated tyres cause.  We suggest a tyre check is included in the daily vehicle walk round check – and the pressure changed accordingly.

TIP 5:

Using air conditioning

When air conditioning is turned on it’s powered from the engine, which increases your fuel consumption.  When the internal temperature is reduced, the system doesn’t have to work quite as hard to maintain the temperature. Drivers should be encouraged to use the air conditioning sparingly and consider having a minimum temperature on climate control options.  A single degree can make a huge difference over time on your fuel consumption.  The biggest ‘no no’ is to have a window open while the air conditioning is running – so drivers should also be made aware of this.

TIP 6:

Turn the engine off

If a car doesn’t have start stop technology then it’s good practice to encourage your drivers to turn off their engines when stationary in traffic if it’s safe to do so.  As a general rule, if a vehicle is stationary for more than 20 seconds, we would assume it’s safe to turn the engine off – however, safety should always come first.

For additional guidance and to discuss your fleet insurance solutions, call us today.

The seemingly constant increase in fuel prices doesn’t make for an easy policy when it comes to fuel efficiency, but we’ve got some tips to help you reduce your fuel costs and make operations more efficient.

Monitor driving patterns

Speeding in particular can affect fuel consumption, with a 14.9% increase at speeds of between 60mph and 75mph (DfT). Monitoring speeds, acceleration and braking patterns can provide data on whether drivers are following good practices on the road and operating as efficiently as possible.

Cut engine idling

To avoid burning unnecessary fuel, engine idling should be avoided as much as possible – it certain circumstances it can even be illegal. Make your drivers aware that a parked vehicle must never be left with the engine running, even when making a quick delivery.  Drivers should also be encouraged to switch off the engine while stuck in traffic and avoid idling to warm up the engine.

Improve route efficiency

Providing all drivers with a sat nav in their vehicles will assist the choice of the most efficient route for their journey.  This will eliminate the need of driving back and forth, ensuring more streamlined operations.

Remove unnecessary weight from vehicles 

Every addition 50kg of weight in a vehicle will – on average – increase fuel consumption by 1-2%.  Over the course of a year this adds up to potentially thousands of litres of fuel where an organisation has multiple vehicles.  Ensure your drivers are only carrying the necessary parcels or equipment and encourage them to remove roof boxes and roof racks when not in use.

Scheduled maintenance

Undertaking preventative and regular maintenance checks will reduce your fuel costs and extend the lifespan of your vehicles.  It is also commitment from you as a company you value to safety of your drivers and the community.

Check tyre pressure regularly

Underinflated tyres can significantly lower a vehicles average mpg, therefore checking the tyre pressure should be considered part of the pre-trip safety check all drivers are encouraged to take.  It will improve the cost per mile and ensure the vehicle can respond safely in all conditions.

Dispatch the closest vehicle

Consider where you vehicles are at all times.  Dispatching the closest vehicle to a new delivery or appointment can help with your business margins and improve fuel efficiency.  Fleet-tracking programmes really will be a big advantage to automate dispatching.

Leverage a fleet telematics solution

Having instant data available at your fingertips can help managers gain valuable insights into their fleet status in terms of individual vehicle performance and overall operations.  This allows changes to be made to improve fuel efficiency.

Provide incentives

Encourage your fleet drivers to drive efficiently by offering incentives and rewards.

Implement driving training

Providing drivers with training regarding fuel efficient habits will increase their awareness and help them to be mindful when driving.  Keeping in lower gears when accelerating, changing gears earlier, driving at slower speeds and learning to read the road will all help improve your fuel efficiency and your profits.

For more guidance and advice on how to manage your fleet more efficiently, and how we can help guide you on your fleet insurance policy – give us a call today.

How can a business control identified risks in their fleet?

Keeping control of your business motor fleet and driver risks can feel like herding cats, no matter what you do, there is always a rogue one!

Once you’ve identified the risks involved with your fleet of vehicles, they key is now to control those as best you can.  We have a few recommendations and easy implementations for your business.

Working hours policy

While this might exist for your office, extend this to driving hours, breaks and time of the day when driving should take place.

Working conditions

Interview drivers to figure out what practices need to change.  Afterall, they’re the one’s in the vehicles day in day out.

Route and workload planning

Encourage drivers to study whether there are more efficient ways to allocate assignments and routes.

Mobile phone policy

Enforce a mobile phone policy that complies with the law and stresses driver safety.

Safety equipment

Establish clear rules for using safety equipment such as seat belts, first aid kits and fire extinguishers

Vehicle controls

Adopt a ‘clean car’ policy which prohibits leaving any valuables in view and dictates that drivers can only park in secure places.

Responsibility for vehicles

Assign specific vehicles to drivers who are responsible for their condition.

‘How’s my driving?’ scheme

We’ve all seen them – the stickers on the back of vans encouraging members of the public to call with complaints or compliments, encouraging drivers to drive more carefully.

Speaking with an expert at Needham insurance will help you asses, manage and control your motor fleet risks, arriving at the perfect policy suited exactly to your business needs.

How can a business minimise risks in regards to fleet?

All business’ will experience risk – but it’s how you manage that risk to ensure the disruption is minimal that will have a massive impact on your future.  With some simple risk management strategies in place, you can mitigate the probability of their occurrences.

Monitor fleet and driver performance with telematics

This will allow you to closely monitor and measure the performance of each vehicle and driver.  You’ll be able to track speed, braking and cornering, and by regularly reviewing this data you can identify if there’s a problem and devise solutions to address them.

Install dash cams

A cost-effective solution to record what is occurring in the vehicle as well as the driver.  It will provide video evidence which can help support your business from fraudulent motor claims if the driver is involved in an accident, but it will also ensure your drivers are paying attention and following the highway code.

Implement a driver excess policy

With a driver excess policy you’re asking your fleet drivers to take responsibility for their actions if they have an ‘at-fault’ claim – and also better care of the fleet vehicles.

Annual training

To ensure safe and effective performance it’s a good idea to provide your drivers with annual training.  This should cover safe driving practices and discourage drivers from inattentive or distracted driving habits.  If an accident does occur, regardless of major or minor, you should have the driver retake the course to reduce the risks of the accident happening again.

Routine maintenance at scheduled intervals on all vehicles

It’s recommended to conduct a thorough inspection of your fleet vehicles at least every quarter, which should include tyres, oil change (if necessary), topping up fluids, brake inspection and engine inspection.  In addition we would recommend checking your vehicles at the start of winter when driving conditions can become more dangerous.

Verify driver performance and vehicle quality

Keeping log books and driver checklists will help address issues before they become problems.  Damage to the vehicle, secured loads, equipment in working order, lights all working can all be recognised prior to journeys.  Accident log books should be kept in fleet vehicles to outline what happens in case of an accident, what repairs were completed and by whom, who was driving etc.  Keeping detailed notes will be helpful when your business files an insurance claim.

Purchase comprehensive fleet insurance

A comprehensive fleet insurance policy will ensure your business is protected.  It can provide employer’s liability insurance, public liability cover, breakdown cover, goods in transit cover and business interruption cover.  Call us today to discuss what your business needs to cover on your fleet policy.

Implementing small motor fleet risk management strategies will help you stay ahead of your risks and keep your driver, your fleet and the public to remain safe.  This approach can also allow you to invest time and finances into bolstering your business rather than trying respond to problems as they occur.

As with all area’s of your business, there are risks involved with owning a fleet of vehicles – here we expand on those risks and how you can mitigate those potential risks.

Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the most common causes of car crashes.  Too little sleep and long hours on the road can cause drivers to be over tired leaving them open to falling asleep behind the wheel.  Make sure you take care of your employees!

Mechanical Failure

To ensure you minimise the risk of mechanical failure it important to have your fleet serviced regularly to avoid the risk of costly breakdowns.

Inclement Weather

The weather in the UK is changeable and unpredictable for most of the year!  Varying conditions can significantly affect driving conditions, decreasing visibility, debris falling into the road from winds or slick road surfaces.

Distracted Driving

Everyone is so busy these days and it’s easy to see how colleagues can get distracted while driving.  Catching up on phone calls between appointments, fiddling with the sat nav, changing the radio – all of these activities can distract the driver from paying attention to the road and other road users.

Road Rule Breaking

Any nonadherence to the road rules always involves unnecessary risk – this can range from driving over the speed limit to using a mobile phone.  There are severe penalities for road users who break highway code rules.

Under or inadequately insured fleets

Never cut corners!  If your business is inadequately insured you could be held liable for costs and fees in the event of an accident – make sure your policy will cover it happens.  

Your policy – your choice!

Fleet insurance is a must if your business own’s more than 2 vehicles.  It will undoubtedly make life easier and simpler for the person who looks after your fleet, freeing up their time  and making your business more efficient.  A fleet policy will be more robust and flexible than a standard motor insurance policy, allowing quick and easy changes to vehicles covered and reducing driver restrictions.

Although more flexible, the general range of cover still applies:

1. Third Party only
2. Third Party fire and theft
3. Comprehensive

Each type of cover still carries excess and this will vary depending on the type of work your business does and the it’s level of risk.  This is calculated based on the fleet’s previous claims over the last 3-5 years and current market trends.

As your fleet of vehicles may consist of 2 or 200 vehicles a fleet insurance policy will offer you a selection of extensions to accommodate the difference vehicles your business may own.  These can include:

• Replacement locks following loss or theft of keys
• Vehicle recovery and redelivery
• New vehicle replacement
• Occasional business use
• Replacement locks
• Personal accident
• Medical expenses
• Personal effects
• Legal protection
• Trailers

Of course, this list isn’t comprehensive, which is why we encourage you to speak to our Fleet specialists to discuss your business needs in more detail.

As with your personal motor policy, there are of course exclusions which include (not exclusive):

• Loss of use not covered by courtesy car arrangement
• Wear, tear and depreciation
• Mechanical breakdown repair costs
• Loss of vehicle through deception
• Tyre damage through normal use
• Keys left in the vehicle
• Pollution

Motor fleets are a diverse group, they can include anything from food delivery vans to multi-national companies.  We encourage you to discuss your business requirements in more detail with our professionals to safeguard your motor fleet for years to come.