Fleet-Insight May. 2016 | Page 24

The Knowledge Get a realistic insight with some interesting facts from the world of fleet 50 % 8.6K 25% Fatigue contributes to up to 25% of fatal and serious road accidents.1 The number of petrol stations in the UK is at a 50-year low. There are now around 8,600 stations, down from around 37,000 in 1970.6 65% 57% Fatigue caused crashes are 50% more likely to result in death or serious injury.1 Of drivers questioned admit to breaking the 70mph speed limit.7 49% of tyres removed have less than 1.6mm of tread.2 Almost one in six UK motorists have been caught speeding in the last five years.5 Of class 7 vehicles fail their first MOT.3 Source: 1) RoSPA 2) Micheldever Tyre Services 3)DVSA 4) SMMT 5)LV= 6)Moneysupermarket.com 7)RAC Study finds that “Real-world” fuel consumption gap is widening Recent studies by The departments of Transport and Environment have shown that the gap between 'real world' fuel consumption and that predicted by the official tests that car manufacturers must quote has been getting wider and wider over the past decade or so. The gap between test results and real- R world performance finds that it has become a chasm, increasing from 8% in 2001 to 31% in 2012 and 40% in 2014. Without action this gap will grow to nearly 50% by 2020. The study found that Mercedes cars have the biggest average gap between test and real-world performance, with real-world fuel consumption exceeding test results by nearly half. None of the improvement in emissions measured in tests of Opel/Vauxhall cars since 2008 has delivered improvement on the road, and their real-world fuel economy is actually getting worse. Transport and Environment states that Systematic changes to the way cars are tested, regulated and taxed are needed to ensure cars are decarbonised on the road and not just in laboratories. The technologies to reduce emissions are available – what is missing is a robust policy framework to ensure these are delivered. 24