>Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving - SaFED

The SaFED for Vans initiative - Safe And Fuel Efficient Driving - was set up in January 2006 to provide free or very low cost training to van drivers. Funded by the Department for Transport (DfT), SAFED for Vans enables both individual van drivers and corporate organisations with van fleets to improve road safety and fuel economy. The scheme will be funded  and supported by the Department of Transport until March 2007.

The new scheme follows a very successful pilot project, conducted during 2005, that found significant financial and environmental gains could be made by using advanced driving techniques without any noticeable impact on delivery times.

The benefits for a driver and van covering 20,000 miles a year could include:

• savings of up to £500 of diesel per vehicle.
• over a 1/4 tonne reduction in carbon emissions.
• reduction of fuel consumption by around 10% per vehicle.
• 59% fewer gear changes.
• fewer accidents, lower insurance premiums, lower running costs and higher residual value of vehicles and a reduction in cargo casualties.

Benefits for the driver:

• less stressful driving.
• improved fuel economy.
• reduced driver fatigue
• significantly reduced chance of being involved in a collision.
• no impact on journey time.
• skills can be used when driving private vehicles.

Benefits for the Company/Fleet Operator

• reduced accidents/incidents by the fleet with associated reduced insurance and excess costs.
• reduced fuel costs through more efficient driving style.
• motivated drivers who have received high quality training.
• introduction to improved fuel management practices to help improve the management of the fleet.
• reduced costs (brakes, gearboxes, clutches and tyres) through improved vehicle sympathy.
• reduced complaints on driving behaviour and associated damage to company image
• fulfills Health and Safety compliance

The Course
The one day course is a mix of classroom and on-the-road tuition and teaches the use of advanced driving techniques such as better use of gears (avoiding over-revving and missing out unnecessary gear changes), correct braking technique (not braking hard), fuel economy and better road awareness (seeing junctions in good time). It is a very successful blend of assessment and training that fully involves the driver in the whole process. Where ever possible training should be carried out in a drivers usual vehicle if this is not possible we can arrange a suitable alternative. At the end of the training day the driver will receive a full debrief and a certificate of achievement.

How much does it cost?

 

To book a SAFeD Course or for any further information then please
call 0800 3280357

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