Driver development training

Driver training shouldn't stop once you get your license. In 2003 a group of experts including representatives from the trucking industry, training sector and trade associations created a standard for Safe And Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED). Good Practice Guide 2100 was published by the Department for Transport funded Best Practice programme and is still available free of charge.

Spring 2003 Ministers funded a one year demonstration project. 275 instructors were trained to deliver SAFED training and they trained 3500 drivers. Training is on vehicles with telematics, which helps to evaluate the improvement and demonstrates how telematics can help drivers use less fuel.

Training comprises one day of off-the-job cab and classroom training. The first drive identifies development issues and a baseline fuel efficiency. A repeat run at the end of the day indicates the potential fuel savings from improved driving techniques.

Spring 2004 Ministers agreed to extend the project funding a further 100 instructors 2500 drivers, to help embed driver development training into normal business practice. By reinvesting some cost savings and contributions a total of 6375 drivers were trained.

Spring 2005 Contracts were awarded for a programme of similar training in the aggregates sector using funds from the Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund. Click here for further details.

The future for SAFED is local training providers to build a business delivering SAFED commercially to a standard that the industry recognises. It is envisaged that this type of training will also be consistent with the new Driver CPC directive. This will require a minimum of five days training over a five year period starting from 2009 for LGV drivers. See the Driving Standards Agency website for further details,
Web: www.dsa.gov.uk/

Benefits - SAFED improves mpg by 10.01%

Safe driving is fuel efficient and fuel efficient driving is generally safe. Even a 5% fuel saving will increase an operators profits and the safety improvements could be priceless. As part of the demonstration projects the contractors collected data on each driver's fuel savings and has produced a report for the DfT. This summarises the programme, its achievements and the range of benefits for drivers and operators.

Based on a sample of over 6000 drivers the average mpg improved by 10.01%, gear changes reduced by 36% and journey times reduced by 0.9%. If these savings were maintained for a full year the average driver would save around £1500 and save 1500kg of carbon emissions. The report details other savings scenarios.
'Safe and Fuel Efficient Driver Training Programme'.

Funded training. Department for Transport funded training is strictly limited. To see what is currently available, or for more information of how or where you can get SAFED training see the dedicated website
http://www.safed.org.uk/

For a free copy of Good Practice Guide to SAFED, a book of case studies, or any other best practice publications, contact:
Tel: 0845 602 1425
Web: www.freightbestpractice.org.uk/
E-mail: Transportenergy@fabermaunsell.com