How can fleets limit the impact of road tolls on their drivers and business?

Dennis Dugen Fleets are already taking the action that might be stimulated if road tolls were introduced as fuel costs have focused all fleets’ attention on how they can operate more economically.

Paul Green Fleets should encourage their drivers to plan the route of least cost wherever they can, and that is not always a good thing if it creates risk and congestion in other areas.

But it would mean fleets would need to use sat-nav technology more than they do today and perhaps fit trackers to ensure that journeys are being conducted on the most appropriate roads. But all this will all just increase the admin burden.

David Brennan A full consultation with a business’ fleet manager or external leasing organisation can ensure that employees, and the company, understand the costs they are liable for when running a fleet vehicle.

Careful route planning and informed vehicle selection can also mitigate some of the potential cost of road tolls.

However, there is no one way of completely absorbing the increased cost associated with this sort of charge.

Fleet managers need to advise on finding the right balance between increased time and fuel costs when avoiding toll roads, or accepting the toll charge.

The FleetNews view

It is obvious that the introduction of road tolls will have a serious impact on all UK drivers, but it will certainly be hardest felt within the company car sector.

Fleets will not only have to deal with a vastly increased mountain of administration but also with the added headache of making sure their drivers get to meetings/deliveries on time and without creating extra health and safety issues.

With some clear alternative options available at its disposal, the Government needs to be quite clear if it thinks road tolls is the right way forward.

There already appears to be a groundswell building against the idea so let’s hope that 2013 brings some good news on this matter… for all drivers.