Poor driving habits cost fleets thousands

New research from IAM RoadSmart has revealed just how much poor driving behaviour is costing fleets - particularly smaller operations. Businesses with larger fleets could be losing over £70,000 annually due to inefficient driving styles that result in increased fuel consumption, tyre wear, and maintenance costs.

Based on feedback from 4,500 business drivers who participated in IAM RoadSmart’s ‘Driving for Work’ training courses in 2023 and 2024, the report shows that eco-driving techniques can boost fuel efficiency by up to 14%. For a fleet of 100 vehicles, this translates into potential annual savings of:

  • £53,890 in fuel
  • £14,400 on tyres
  • 69 tonnes of CO₂ emissions - equivalent to driving around the world 14 times.

IAM RoadSmart also highlighted the added benefit of improved safety, as poor driver habits are closely linked to road incidents and financial penalties. Work journeys currently account for one in three road deaths, and business drivers are responsible for an estimated 1.3 million penalties annually, costing firms around £100 million.

For more information, visit IAM RoadSmart Driving for Work.