Whether at home or at work, January can be a great time for setting goals for the year ahead. The industry might be looking towards ULEZ and new company car tax rates, but you can set smaller goals for your fleet to help the transition into 2020. Below are a few driving tips to help keep business drivers safe throughout the year:
- New vehicle. Check out our tips for drivers getting behind the wheel of a new car or van for the first time. It’s important to take care when driving new vehicles and it’s worth looking into the emissions and company car tax rates before choosing.
- Eyesight. Being the year of ‘2020’, business drivers who also work with DSE (Display Screen Equipment) may be entitled to free eye checks, but it is ultimately the responsibility of each driver to ensure they’re fit to drive. Ask your drivers to check if they can read a number plate clearly from 20 metres.
- Weather. Heed weather warnings all year round. Winter can cause delays and the last thing fleets need are drivers off the road due to incidents caused by bad weather; it might be worth postponing journeys in severe cases.
- Year-round maintenance. A robust fleet policy will detail driver’s responsibilities when it comes to daily vehicle checks, but making sure windows, lights, mirrors and number plates are clean is also important.
- Eco-driving. Business drivers can make huge fuel savings by adopting eco-driving techniques. Take a look at our fuel saving tips for more info on making your fleet more efficient.
- Anticipate. Consider what the traffic and other people around you may do, especially at traffic lights, roundabouts and junctions. Observing, anticipating and planning should be at the heart of any driving.
- Refuel. Running out of fuel in an area you don’t know can always be problematic, but drivers should always pull over to a safe place if they need to use their mobile to find a petrol station.
Richard Gladman, head of driving and riding standards, says: “The New year is a common time for people to reflect and evaluate their goals for the upcoming year. Why not begin by incorporating your driving behaviour into your list of resolutions for 2020? Why not resolve to make it better this year?”
