Van drivers safer than ‘perk’ car drivers

2nd December 2013

Van drivers are often stereotyped, but it seems it is ’perk’ car drivers (who receive a company car as part of their benefits package) who need the most help when it comes to improving their behaviour on the roads.

An analysis by LeasePlan of more than 28,000 drivers found that while ‘white van’ drivers picked up £309 in parking fines, accident costs and out-of-contract maintenance costs every year, company car drivers attracted £458.

Commercial vehicle drivers incurred an average of £182 per-head in accident costs each year, significantly lower than the £291 accrued by perk drivers.  The findings were similar for out-of-contract maintenance costs, where the average commercial vehicle driver accumulated £98 annually, compared to £145 for perk drivers.  And that was despite the two groups averaging a similar number of miles driven each year – 25,795 and 23,309 respectively.

However, one area in which the commercial vehicle drivers did attract higher costs was in traffic violations and fines, averaging £29 per year.  Perk drivers were less likely to incur fines, with the average for this group standing at £22.

Across the drivers analysed, LeasePlan found that the worst 20% of drivers accounted for 76% of the total costs incurred, amounting to £8.5m in unforeseen fleet costs.  This figure suggests there are significant savings to be made if driver behaviour can be addressed.