Making eco-driver training mandatory won’t work, says FTA 28 June 2010

Department for Transport (DfT) proposals to make eco-driving training a mandatory part of Driver CPC training have been rejected by the FTA (Freight Transport Association).

In its response to the DfT's consultation paper, James Firth, FTA's head of road freight and enforcement policy, recommended that, although greater uptake of eco-driver training must be encouraged, the mandatory route is unnecessary and could even become counter productive.

"Eco-driver training can yield results, yes, but it is by no means a 'silver bullet'," he says. "Its effects diminish steeply unless undertaken alongside proper fleet and driver management. Indeed, most FTA members already invest in eco-driver training, but only in this context."

Firth suggests that making eco-driving training mandatory could "easily reduce it to a box-ticking exercise", replacing the far more effective way it is already being implemented by enlightened operators, as an integral part of fleet fuel reduction measures.

"The failure of the Low Emission Zone proves that high levels of compliance don't necessarily translate into success," he adds.

FTA has also criticised the integrity of the cost benefit analysis used by the DfT to justify its proposals. It reckons that the consultation failed to account for those experienced drivers who have already received eco-training.

"This proposal has been built on pretty shaky grounds and it seems to ignore the fact that industry has made huge in-roads into mitigating its carbon footprint already," comments Firth.

"Industry already agreed in good faith to embrace a fully flexible implementation of the Driver CPC. Less than 12 months in and the DfT is moving the goalposts. At this rate, by the end of the first cycle of periodic training the whole 35 hours will be prescribed," he adds.

"Industry wants to achieve greater environmental performance but, just as the long-term business benefits of training provide a powerful incentive, the key barrier is the initial cost.

"Above inflation fuel duty rises eat into the already modest profit margins of most commercial vehicle operators, meaning they have less cash available to invest in measures that could bring real improvements in carbon emissions in terms of technology and training."

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Freight Transport Association Ltd

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