THE organisers of the government-backed SAFED for Vans scheme are claiming the programme will hit training targets it laid out at the launch more than a year ago, and is delivering 20% better fuel economy for fleets.

SAFED (Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving) for Vans had trained more than 4,000 drivers by the end of January and organisers say it is on course to reach the 7,500 target by the end of March now all the trainers are in place and working to full capacity.

The scheme is currently free, but from March will become a commercial enterprise.

Claire Shrewsbury, SAFED programme manager, said: ‘We are working with over 500 companies, so I am absolutely confident that the target will be reached.

‘The drivers trained are averaging an annual mileage of 25,000, which means that we are already helping to reduce the fuel used on over 100 million miles.

‘That’s a significant impact on industry. When you’re saving money, it’s got to be good news.’