‘Smarter driving’ saves money, fuel and fleet emissions. And the Energy Saving Trust’s experience with its Smarter Driving training shows that it’s possible to train large numbers of drivers quickly. In a recent survey of 149 organisations that have taken the training, all 149 reported that they have found the techniques learned to be practical in day-to-day driving. To trial Smarter Driving for yourself and to take part in the daily challenge, visit the team at Company Car in Action in three weeks time. 28th and 29th June at Millbrook Proving Ground.

The Energy Saving Trust has been conducting Smarter Driving training throughout England over the past three years and clients have found the intensive, enjoyable nature of the course highly productive. Smarter Driving Programme Manager Bob Saynor says: “We focus on teaching the simple things that make driving less stressful as well as more efficient and the fact we do it in less than an hour makes it really popular with busy fleets.”

“It’s easy for you and your employees to organise Smarter Driving training – not least because it doesn’t take long to learn the principles that make a ‘smarter’ driver and then put them into practice. That means people don’t have to give up a large chunk of the day to reap the benefits – under an hour, in fact. And as the course comes to you, there’s no additional travel time so disruption to the working day is kept to a minimum. At just £20 per driver, it’s an extremely cost effective way to cut fuel bills.”

Why offer Smarter Driving training?

With fuel prices at record levels, the business case for Smarter Driving training is clear-cut for organisations using fuel cards or bunkered fuel. But Smarter Driving also makes a lot of sense if you pay fixed mileage rates since the training makes it easier to resist calls for increased mileage rates. In some cases, such as BAM Construct UK, organisations may even feel confident enough to reduce the rates they pay. Jesse Putzel from BAM explains: “Smarter Driving is part of a package of measures that helps us to cut fuel costs and emissions and also lessen any potential blow for employees. By running driver training alongside reductions in our mileage allowance and together with incentives for greener cars, everyone benefits.”

For more information and to trial the training for yourself, register now to secure you attendance at Company Car in Action 2011 by visiting;

https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/company-car-in-action/view_page.asp?s=online_registration/