According to research carried out for National Eye Health Week, there are 9 million drivers on UK roads whose quality of vision is below the legal requirement. Poor eyesight can be a huge risk to not only your drivers, but the road users around them.
In fact, incidents on the road that can be attributed to poor eyesight result in an estimated 2,900 casualties per year.
What is your duty of care as an employer?
The law states that employers must ensure that any employee who drives for work is fit to do so. This could cover a number of things, but ensuring your drivers’ eyesight is in good condition falls under these rules.
The standard check is to see whether drivers can read a number plate from 20 metres away. It is recommended that you do this when they are first employed, and every 6 months following.
Should they fail this test, it is vital that they get their eyes tested properly. This can be arranged by the employer or the employee, depending on your policy. However, should the employee fail to have their eyes tested and continue to drive with less than adequate vision, this could be a breach of the law.
If the results of your drivers’ eye tests aren’t satisfactory, don’t worry! They can be fitted with glasses that will make bring their vision up to a satisfactory level when they’re behind the wheel.
It is recommended that any eye tests your drivers have are documented so that you can supply evidence that you have been fulfilling your duty of care.
Why is driver eyesight so important?
Of course, it is vital that your drivers have sufficient eyesight so that they are not a danger to themselves or others. Poor vision leads to drivers not perceiving hazards in time, meaning a collision with pedestrians, cyclists or other vehicles becomes increasingly likely.
39% of road traffic accidents in 2019 were caused by drivers failing to observe their surroundings properly. A good portion of these accidents may be attributed to poor eyesight. It bears asking how many of these incidents could have been prevented had their ability to see properly be above the minimum requirement?
Knowingly driving with sub-par vision could result in fines of up to £1,000, penalty points on licences and even prosecution if a serious incident occurs as a result, which could all have massive repercussions on your business.
How to tell if drivers should have their vision tested
If your drivers are experiencing certain symptoms, it could be a sign that their vision has deteriorated.
Make sure your drivers have their eyes tested if they are experiencing:
Eye strain
Headaches
Pressure behind the eyes
Double vision
Noticing halos around lights
Difficulty seeing at night
It is probable that the reason so many UK drivers have poor vision is that our eyesight tends to deteriorate so slowly that we don’t even notice it happening. This makes it increasingly difficult to identify when there is a problem, as drivers may just think their vision is normal! That’s why it is all the more important to repeat the license plate test on a regular basis. Failing to do so could, as mentioned, result in serious consequences for your drivers, your business, and other road users.
How can Fuel Card Services help?
Ensuring each and every driver in your business has adequate eyesight is a one of many safety concerns that fleet managers might have. However, drivers are only half of the equation – you also need to monitor the safety of your vehicles!
With the MyDrive.Safe app, your drivers can efficiently and thoroughly carry out vehicle safety checks on their phone. This means plenty of time saved on admin and tamper proof records. When your drivers use MyDrive.Safe, you can rest easy with the knowledge that the vehicles they use day in and day out are safe to drive, and you’re also fulfilling your duties as a fleet manager.
If you are a car owner or manage vehicles as part of your business, you will have noticed that you’re paying a lot more to fill up a tank recently. With record breaking highs in fuel prices, recent world events have meant that we’re forced to spend more to travel the same distances.
Tom Cosway, Head of Commercial Business at Fuel Card Services says “Rising fuel prices are forcing UK businesses to find solutions that reduce their operating costs. Doing so could be crucial to remaining competitive in the coming months.”
In this article, we’re going to take a look at why this is happening, and explore what practical steps business owners can take to reduce costs faced for company vehicles.
Why are fuel prices going up in the UK?
Petrol prices in the UK have surged in 2024. This increase is driven primarily by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly involving Israel and Iran, which have pushed up wholesale oil costs.
Additionally, the start of the driving season in the USA, where there is a high demand for fuel due to leisure trips in July, has further strained global supply.
Despite efforts by the UK Chancellor to mitigate costs by freezing fuel duty and maintaining a 5p cut in prices, retail dynamics have also played a role, with retailers taking larger margins, especially on diesel. This price hike, which has made petrol the most expensive since November 2023, poses challenges for consumers and businesses, contributing to inflation and affecting travel budgets.
Current fuel prices UK
Government data shows that fuel prices are still increasing weekly, going from an average of 144.67 pence per litre of petrol, compared to 150.58 pence per litre for diesel.
The price you pay for petrol and diesel is impacted by the following factors:
Supply and demand for oil.
The price of crude oil globally.
Combined wholesale cost, distribution cost and retail margin
VAT charged
Fuel duty owed to the government
Exchange rates from dollar to pounds
How to reduce fuel costs for your business
For businesses in the UK managing multiple vehicles, it’s now more important than ever to do what you can to save money on the cost of fuel. There are different options that can be taken for managing your fleet effectively to reduce outgoings on fuel.
1. Save money with a fuel card
A great method of saving money on fuel for business vehicles is using a fuel card, as you can achieve discounts on every mile. Working with all major fuel brands, Fuel Card Services can offer savings of up to 10p per litre when you use a fuel card.
You can utilise our quick and easy fuel card selector to see which fuel card would be best for your business, or complete our short form to receive a free quote today.
2. Use fleet management solutions
Using fleet management software solutions can allow businesses to take control of their fleet from all over the UK and make efficiencies to reduce costs.
By implementing an effective telematics system, vehicles can be tracked, and routes can be planned to ensure the most fuel-efficient route is taken. Telematics can also save you money by directing drivers to the cheapest and most practical petrol stations. You can read more about the many benefits of using Tele-Gence Telematics and how this could be a useful solution to reduce costs for your business.
Not only this, Fuel Card Services offers fleet management options that help to get vehicles fixed or serviced at pre-negotiated rates. So, for fleet operators, vehicle maintenance could be an interesting area in which you could look to make cost-savings.
Cut costs on your business’ fuel today
Operational costs have always been a key expenditure that small to medium-sized businesses have had to contend with. In 2024, this is certainly the case, and the rising cost of fuel is causing cash flow challenges for businesses across the globe.
Consequently, it’s now more important than ever that businesses look to make efficiencies in small ways to remain competitive. Whether that involves investing in a fuel card to save money on business mileage, or introducing new technology to improve fleet efficiency, Fuel Card Services has a solution that could help.
You can get a free quote online or apply now for fuel cards and fleet management services from Fuel Card Services. If you would like assistance in choosing the right fuel card or fleet management solution, you can contact us today to speak to one of our experts.
For operators of commercial fleets, going about managing those fleets in the right way is absolutely crucial. That’s because fleet management impacts a business’ profitability, staff, and customer base.
In this guide, we’ll cover off the key aspects of fleet management to help operators stay on top of the best practices used in industry. We’ll specifically touch on subjects including:
Fleet management involves the coordination and organisation of a business’ vehicle portfolio and drivers. This includes not only company-owned cars or vans, but also grey fleet vehicles which are owned by employees but used for work purposes.
Exactly what a fleet management model should look like differs from company to company, and can depend on the number of vehicles managed and the infrastructure and systems in place. However, there are some universal truths to effective fleet management that apply to all businesses at any given stage during their lifecycle.
Some of these key components include:
Monitoring operational cost.
Ensuring vehicle safety and compliance.
Vehicle maintenance and repair.
Employee management and training.
Managing operational efficiency and optimisation.
A good fleet manager should be able to keep a legal and safe operation running, engage and motivate workforce, and do so while making cost savings wherever possible.
The role of the fleet manager
The job of the fleet manager is to oversee both the wider strategic movements and the day-to-day operations of a business’ cars, vans, or trucks. Fleet managers have a wide range of responsibilities and so need to be versatile in their skillsets and able to dabble in everything from accountancy to strong communications and the ability to multitask.
Some of the key responsibilities of a fleet manager role include:
Controlling costs
Ensuring operating costs are kept as low as possible is a primary task of the fleet manager. This can include getting a good deal on initial purchases or rentals, as well as keeping ongoing costs down, which could be achieved through improving fuel efficiency or managing the use of services like fuel cards.
Overseeing vehicle maintenance
Keeping your fleet on the road is vital to the success of any business. This means ensuring cars and vans are regularly serviced and checked for any faults. The latest smart technology can alert you to any potential issues before they become a problem, allowing you to plan your schedule and reduce the risk of a breakdown.
Ensuring driver safety
As well as ensuring your fleet is mechanically sound, a good fleet manager should also be keeping an eye on driver behaviour. Tools like telematics systems can keep a full log of their actions, and show you if they were speeding, for instance – or if any harsh inputs have been made on the steering or brakes. This information can enable you step in with training or advice where necessary.
Tracking vehicles
It’s essential that you know where your vehicles are at all times. GPS tracking tools give you a complete picture of your current situation and let you make changes. For instance, it can show you if drivers are taking inefficient routes between jobs and therefore help better plan your operations. What’s more, it can quickly alert you to any unauthorised vehicle use or track down a stolen car.
Ensuring compliance
It’s also up to the fleet management team to ensure their vehicles are road legal and that drivers are meeting their requirements. However, this doesn’t just include keeping MOTs and insurance valid. You should also be tracking any mileage claims for expenses and tax purposes and ensuring drivers aren’t breaching working time rules. This also covers ensuring your drivers are fully licensed for the vehicles they operate. And you’re keeping a record of any issues such as penalty points.
How to improve your fleet management
The most efficient and profitable fleets are likely to be those with the best managers at the helm who can provide structure and processes that are easy to follow, while also ensuring communication with drivers is clear.
Our tips on the key areas in which most fleets could look to upgrade include:
1. Accessing real-time information
The first thing any fleet manager needs in order to work effectively is full visibility of their cars, vans, and drivers. This means having access to real-time data that can show them, at a glance, the location of each vehicle and employee, their current status, and whether they are experiencing any issues.
The most effective way of achieving this is by implementing an effective telematics system. This system connects to a vehicle’s computer and uses a range of sensors to feed data back to a central computer detailing everything a vehicle’s location and speed to driver inputs. Real-time data is also a pre-requisite to many of the solutions we’re about to cover, so if you don’t have it, you could be working with one hand tied behind your back.
2. Implementing GPS tracking
A key part of any real-time information solution will be instant details of your fleet’s locations via GPS. This can be vital if you need to dispatch an employee to a certain destination, as you can see at a glance who is available and best-positioned to respond.
However, it can also be used to help record mileage and hours spent on the road, divert drivers away from areas of congestion and even provide customers with real-time updates on when they can expect your employees to arrive.
3. Improving route planning
GPS tools can also be used in combination with other tech solutions to improve your firms’ route planning. This isn’t just about finding the shortest way from A to B. It should also take into account factors such as expected fuel consumption along the route and the distance to the cheapest filling stations.
For example, if a vehicle is spending a lot of time stuck in traffic with the engine idling, this results in greater fuel consumption and higher costs. With good route planning tools, this can be avoided.
4. Monitoring driver behaviour
Being able to keep an eye on how your employees are driving is also essential. First and foremost, this improves safety. If fleet telematics data shows frequent speeding, or sensors detect harsh control inputs, you can step in to address this. You can even generate league tables that show your best and worst-performing drivers, highlighting who you need to speak to most urgently.
This can also help reduce fuel consumption. By monitoring inputs such as acceleration and braking, you can educate employees to drive more smoothly as well as safely. Indeed, almost half of businesses (49 per cent) using telematics have seen a reduction in speeding incidences and fines, while 55 per cent experienced a drop in fuel usage.
5. Reducing your fuel costs
While better route planning and driver monitoring can help improve your fuel consumption, you should also make sure you’re not paying over the odds at the pump. To do this, it pays to have a suitable fuel card for your usage.
There are a wide range of products to choose from, so it’s important to get this right. It may be the case that the cheapest option isn’t very convenient for your firm. You also need to consider whether you’d benefit from cards with wider motorway networks, for example, and which brands have locations nearest your most common routes.
6. Predictively scheduling maintenance
Breakdowns can be a major headache for fleet managers. Beyond the direct costs associated with fixing vehicle problems, having vehicles off the road unexpectedly also hurts the firm’s productivity. You can avoid this by using the data taken from telematics systems to predictively schedule maintenance. These tools can highlight potential issues and allow you to step in before they turn into serious problems.
7. Automating your expenses
Admin work is often among the most time-consuming parts of a fleet manager’s job. Working out details such as mileage claims, expenses, fuel MPG and other details are essential but tedious activities. But with the right fleet management systems, this doesn’t have to be the case.
Being able to calculate these figures automatically, based on data recorded by the telematics system, doesn’t just free up your time. It also ensures the data is accurate and can highlight any unusual events – such as vehicles doing significantly more miles than expected – for investigation.
8. Setting up security alerts
Spotting and cracking down on unauthorised vehicle usage is also essential. For example, you can set up alerts that let you know if a vehicle is being used outside normal office hours. You can also establish geofencing to warn you if a car from your portfolio travels beyond a certain area.
This isn’t only useful for identifying any employees using company assets for personal use, but it can also help you quickly track down any stolen vehicles – using GPS tracking to guide police precisely.
9. Tackling fuel fraud
Another major concern for many fleet managers is the risk of fuel fraud, such as employees filling personal vehicles using a company fuel card or making claims for miles they haven’t done. Telematics can help spot issues with expenses, while a good fuel card can also help by ensuring vehicle locations match fuel card usage, for example.
10. Managing your vehicle inventory
A good fleet management system can also help keep track of your vehicle inventory. This allows you to better plan ahead for replacements, get alerts when services or MOTs are due, and prepare your finances.
You can also see at a glance details such as the types of fuel used, which will be important to know when selecting a fuel card, and can factor into future buying decisions. For instance, if the majority of your fleet is petrol-powered, you may want to consider phasing out any remaining diesels to simplify your operations.
11. Procuring the right fleet vehicles
It’s crucial that your vehicle portfolio is properly equipped to meet the needs of your business, and there are a lot of considerations you could make around whether to bring new vehicles on board, or upgrade existing cars and vans. A good starting point is to analyse the fuel they’re currently using, and gain visibility over all car running costs.
From there, you can factor in market movements such as the growth of electric vehicles when making judgements on how to go about upgrading your fleet over the coming months and years.
Fleet management software solutions
Many of the efficiencies fleet operators can look to make stem from using the latest and greatest technology in market to automate, track and calculate ways to improve performance.
To recap some of the key pieces of commercial fleet technology we’ve mentioned in this article, the essential software includes:
A thorough telematics system, such as our Tele-Gence service – which can help businesses take control of vehicle management.
Fleet software for automating vehicle checks. This can be done through our My Drive Safe mobile app service.
Software to cheapen maintenance costs. The team at Fuel Card Services can help fleet operators get access to pre-negotiated maintenance rates at thousands of garages across the UK.
Software to help drivers with their daily operations. For example, our My Drivers Club app can help drivers find their nearest fuel pumps with ease.
Having a good technology stack behind a fleet operation can also prove an attractive prospect for new drivers and partners, who may be accustomed to enjoying these benefits when offered by rival businesses.
Why is fleet management important?
In this article, we have covered what fleet management is, an overview of the fleet manager role, and helpful software solutions, but what is likely to be the impact of upgrading your fleet management processes today?
Some real-world benefits you could see within your fleet include:
Improved employee productivity.
A reduction in fuel costs – which could have a significant impact on your bottom line.
Saving time by controlling your fleet online and eliminating administrative tasks.
Reduced mileage claims.
Automated reporting dashboards.
Improved driver safety and security.
If you want to know more about how Fuel Card Services could help you and your business, you can get in contact with our fleet management experts today.
The UK was recently hit by a barrage of intense weather with the arrival of Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice. These storms saw thousands of people left without power. As many trees were torn from the ground and buildings damaged, these storms also sadly claimed several lives.
The reason we’re writing this article is because, unfortunately, the frequency of storms like this in the UK is only likely to increase. In our warming climate, more extreme weather conditions are likely to become commonplace.
Therefore, drivers should have a good understanding of what they can do to stay safe whilst driving in storms. Whilst most advice would likely tell you not to drive during storms, this isn’t always possible. If your business relies on a fleet of vehicles, you can’t just shut down your operations when there’s a storm!
So, here are our tips for driving in storms.
Keep speed to a minimum
Of course, you need to maintain a slower speed than normal in extreme weather. If there’s a storm, you’re likely to be driving in heavy rain and strong winds. The rain can loosen the grip between your tires and the road and double the amount of time it takes for your vehicle to come to a stop when braking.
As well as driving slowly, ensure you keep a good distance between yourself and other vehicles. You’ll have more time to react if you need to brake, and the winds might cause other vehicles to move unpredictably.
Speaking of which, make sure you keep a firm grip on the steering wheel; strong winds can send you off course and you’ll need both hands to maintain control.
Plan your route
Before driving in a storm, it’s vital you plan your route. You’ll need to check for road closures. Falling trees, branches, and debris can cause roads to be blocked off; if you are able to check this beforehand, you might be able to avoid delays by choosing a different route.
If you can avoid smaller roads as well, you should do so. Smaller roads are more likely to be closed because of debris in a storm.
Don’t drive through a flood
Storms tend to bring floods, and roads can become submerged under the water. Possibly the most important advice we can give is this – do not drive through a flood.
The MET Office states that drivers attempting to navigate a flooded road is the number 1 cause of death in storms.
You might come across a road that is submerged and think “that isn’t too deep” and continue driving. However, a stream of water that is just 30cm deep can lift your vehicle, causing you to float and be dragged along with the current of water.
Additionally, it only takes a tiny amount of water in your engine to cause immense damage. This means expensive and time-consuming maintenance may have to take place, which can be avoided if drivers simply turn away from the flood and find another route!
What if my car is struck by lightning?
This is very unlikely to happen, but it is possible, especially when driving on higher plains. In most instances, you’re actually quite safe inside your vehicle.
If lightning were to hit your car, the metal frame allows the electricity to travel to the ground where it is dispersed. However, if this does happen, try not to touch any of the metal components of your vehicle until the storm has passed.
However, if you are driving a convertible or soft-top, you are slightly less safe. The lack of metal roof means that the lightning might not hit a part of your vehicle that conducts the electricity allowing it to be dispersed. Therefore, do not drive such a vehicle during a thunderstorm if possible, as the lives of those inside could be at risk.
If you can avoid driving, do so!
As mentioned earlier, this isn’t possible for many businesses. However, your drivers’ safety is always more important than keeping operations going. If the weather looks like it is life-threatening, consider halting your business’ operations for that day.
If driving is an absolute necessity though, remember the above tips – they could make a huge difference when driving in storms!
How can Fuel Card Services help?
Obviously, we can’t control the weather, and can’t make driving through storms any easier! However, we can help ensure your business is prepared.
We offer a telematics service that can help your business plan routes and promote driver safety. With Tele-Gence, you’ll be able to track your fleet’s drivers and ensure they’re taking the best possible route as well as keeping their speed down during arduous weather conditions.
Also, we can help you keep your vehicles well maintained so that when the storms come, your drivers can rest easy in the knowledge that their vehicles are safe! With MyService.Expert, you’ll get pre-negotiated rates at thousands of main dealers across the country, and it’s also pay-as-you go!
MyDriveSafe.Expert is our safety check app. Your drivers can tick off a checklist as they carry out safety checks. This means that they’ll know if there are any issues with the vehicle before hitting the road. This knowledge could save their lives if a dangerous storm were to hit!
During the recent fuel supply crisis, many drivers took to buying excess amounts of fuel and storing it for future use. There are, however, legal and safety concerns that drivers must be aware of when doing so. Additionally, fuel doesn’t last forever, so how long exactly are we able to store petrol or diesel?
What is the expiry date of fuel?
Although produced from crude oil, an extremely old substance, neither petrol or diesel last very long. Therefore, you should only store fuel if you know it is going to be used – otherwise it will most certainly go to waste!
When stored in a sealed container at 20 degrees, petrol should last around 6 months. It will only last 3 months if stored at 30 degrees.
Diesel tends to last a little bit longer in the same conditions. Estimates suggest that you can store diesel for up to a year before it goes off.
Can you leave fuel in your tank for extended periods?
Drivers might refrain from using a certain vehicle for months, and if there is any fuel left in the tank during this time, it will be losing quality. It is recommended that you drain the tank if you have had fuel sat in your tank for 6 months.
Alternatively, you could use a fuel stabiliser. This liquid is used to slow down the oxidation process that causes your fuel to become unusable. Manufacturers of fuel stabilisers claim that such products can extend the life of fuel to up to two years, although tests have shown mixed results.
Once your fuel has reached the end of its shelf life, you should avoid driving with it. Old petrol can cause deposits that clog up the mechanisms in your engine and cause serious damage. Old diesel can also block the fuel injection system. The damages caused by driving with old fuel would be similar if you tried driving your vehicle with the wrong type of fuel!
What is the best way to store fuel?
Petrol and diesel fuels should be stored in a plastic or metal container with a tight-fitting cap – such containers are available that are designed specifically for this purpose. A tight-fitting cap is vital as it will slow down the oxidation process as well as ensure there are no dangerous spillages.
Of course, you should keep in mind that both petrol and diesel are flammable liquids, making them a serious hazard. If avoidable, do not store fuel in your home or main building of operation. A garage or shed is desirable if it is well ventilated and meets the necessary temperature requirements.
How much fuel can you store at home?
Depending on the container used, you are allowed to keep 30 litres of petrol on your premises. If you wish to store more than this you must notify your local Petroleum Enforcement Authority. Having done so, you are permitted to store up to 275 litres of petrol.
However, there is no legal limit on how much diesel you are allowed to store.
How can Fuel Card Services help?
Just as important as properly storing fuel is ensuring that you’re paying the best possible price for it. That’s where a fuel card come in. Businesses can use them to get great deals on petrol, diesel, and even electric.
If you think your business would benefit from lowering your fuel costs, get in touch with our experts today. As fuel and energy prices rise, you could negate a huge amount of strain on your operations by making sure you’re getting the best possible deals.
