Improving driving skills for van drivers

1 August 2006

High accident rates, high stress levels and stereotyped images have all helped to give the ‘white van man’ a bad press over recent years. But the new Government-funded initiative SAFED for Vans (Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving) will provide van drivers with advanced driving skills to address these issues, whilst aiming to improve safety and millions of pounds in fuel costs at the same time.

SAFED for Vans is a one-day training course involving a mix of classroom and on-the-road tuition. It teaches the use of improved driving techniques, such as better use of gears, keeping correct braking distance, fuel economy and better road awareness. In short, the course aims to deliver safer, cleaner and cheaper driving. The scheme offers free places to 7,500 places to van drivers in England before March 2007.

Since its launch in January 06, the SAFED for Vans scheme has already provided some impressive results, demonstrating that a typical driver benefits from:

• 14 % fuel consumption reduction
• 56 % reduction in driver faults
• 34% reduction of the number of gear changes
• 1.5% reduction of journey time.
• up to £500 fuel savings per vehicle, depending on mileage.

Fleet Managers and van drivers interested in finding out how SAFED for Vans could benefit their business should contact the Helpline on 0870 190 8440, www.safed.org.uk or email vans@safed.org.uk