The difference between good and bad drivers can equate to a 25% variance in whole life vehicle, according to data from Chevin Fleet Solutions.
Based on the company’s research on its customer base, the best drivers can reduce total operating costs by more than 12% but the worst drivers can easily drive up costs by more than 13%.
“There’s a growing awareness among fleets about the level of impact that driver behavior can have on overall operating costs and these figures underline their concern,” said Ron Katz, senior vice president of North American Sales. “In terms of average vehicle life cycle costs, the difference between the best and worst drivers will run into thousands of dollars per vehicle, and even on a medium sized fleet, could total a six figure variance.”
Katz noted that the key areas where driver behavior impacts vehicle operating costs include fuel, maintenance, accidents and the vehicles condition.
“Generally, fleet managers recognize that less responsible drivers will have higher fuel consumption and cause more wear and tear to their vehicle resulting in higher operating costs. However, there’s also a strong correlation between poor driver behavior and increased accident rates, as well as a general level of carelessness about the vehicle that can directly impact residual values, Katz added.
In most fleets, Katz said, tighter driver controls and an emphasis on higher levels of personal responsibility directly correlates to reduced costs.
“Where employers make a concerted effort to reinforce company policies and consistently communicate the positive impact that drivers have on operating costs, the condition and safe use of their company vehicle, the level of variance does close. Not completely, of course, but easily enough to make the effort worthwhile,” concluded Katz.
