Skip to main content

UK van drivers drive more carefully in their personal vehicles

A new study by TomTom indicates that more than a third (39 per cent) of UK van drivers admit to driving more carefully when using their personal vehicle. The research, conducted among light commercial vehicle (LCV) drivers, found 67 per cent of those did so to save money on fuel and vehicle wear and tear and 29 per cent because of the absence of working time pressures.
September 13, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
A new study by 1692 TomTom indicates that more than a third (39 per cent) of UK van drivers admit to driving more carefully when using their personal vehicle.

The research, conducted among light commercial vehicle (LCV) drivers, found 67 per cent of those did so to save money on fuel and vehicle wear and tear and 29 per cent because of the absence of working time pressures.

In addition, 59 per cent said they were more likely to speed or take risks in their work vehicles as a result of working time pressures.

The study also found that three-quarters (75 per cent) of respondents admit to speeding in their work vehicles, with 24 per cent doing so regularly.

However, only 20 per cent of respondents said their company provides training to help them drive more safely and efficiently and just 35 per cent claim their employers use technology to monitor driving performance and fuel efficiency.

“A significant proportion of at-work drivers demonstrate clear awareness of the benefits of safe, efficient driving, which is applied in their personal vehicles – but working pressures are adversely affecting performance,” said Thomas Schmidt, TomTom Business Solutions’ Managing Director. “The onus is on employers to take action by encouraging higher standards behind the wheel and minimising the time pressures facing mobile workers.”

“Appropriate fleet management technology can play a major role in this, offering clear management information and helping to raise awareness of responsible driving by providing real-time feedback to drivers. This not only provides transparency on performance standards being measured but can also help companies target driver training where it is most needed,” said Schmidt

Related Content

  • May 16, 2013
    Telent uses TomTom to achieve fuel savings
    Technology services provider Telent has revealed how improved driver behaviour and fuel initiatives among its mobile workforce have resulted in an annual fuel saving of £216,000 (US$328,800). The company has dramatically reduced incidents of speeding, idling, harsh braking and other such efficiency failings among 250 of its drivers following the introduction of TomTom’s Worksmart and Webfleet driving performance tools. Worksmart fleet management combines TomTom tracking and navigation with the ecoPlus on-bo
  • March 4, 2019
    TISPOL says gig economy tears up enforcement rulebook
    The road safety enforcement sector is facing a crisis. Rulebooks around the world are going to have to change as our roads become a high-pressure workplace for millions of gig economy workers. Geoff Hadwick reports from the TISPOL conference Traffic police forces everywhere will need a fresh approach to regulating the way in which our highways are being used, senior enforcement officers were told at the latest TISPOL European Traffic Police Network annual conference. The World Health Organisation puts it
  • November 16, 2021
    IRD's on-the-go tyre check adjusts for inflation
    As many as 84 million vehicles worldwide may have tyres which are improperly inflated or in poor condition, which has a significant effect on road safety - and also on the environment
  • June 26, 2015
    New TomTom app gives driver feedback on driving style
    TomTom Telematics has launched a new smartphone app in the UK and Germany that gives drivers real-time feedback on their driving style. TomTom CURFER uses the latest developments in connected car technology from TomTom Telematics to provide drivers with visual information on how they drive – including live and retrospective feedback on their braking, cornering, acceleration and idling. The app works in conjunction with the TomTom LINK 100 dongle, which plugs into the vehicle’s OBD port to connect car