17/03/2014
In the second half of 2013 and continuing into this year, we have seen a noticeable rise in the sales of our speed limiters.
This trend can be attributed to fleet operators increasingly looking to drive down fuel costs and take a proactive approach to protecting their drivers' safety.
This increased demand looks set to continue and we feel it poses an important question - should they be compulsory an all commercial vehicles?
From a fleet operator's point of view, once a speed limiter is considered it becomes a simple decision once they listen to the rationale behind it. Reduced speed leads to better safety and improved fuel economy, as well as encouraging greater engine longevity.
We put the fuel consumption benefits to the test in a commercial vehicle, fitting a 56mph speed limiter to a Volkswagen Transporter Sportline van. On a 260 mile trip which featured semi-urban parkways, city roads and motorways it delivered fuel economy of 43.91 miles per gallon, an uplift of over seven miles per gallon compared to the van's official fuel economy figure.
To put that into the context of fuel savings, on that 260 mile journey alone the driver would have saved £16.86. Over 16,000 miles a year, this equates to a yearly saving of over £1,000.
This is a considerable saving on a single vehicle, which will only become more significant across a large vehicle fleet.
Fitting a speed limiter also protects a business' drivers and reputation. A driver travelling above the speed limit in the outside lane of the motorway reflects badly on a business through the eyes of other motorists and this can be easily prevented.
It can also protect drivers from possible speeding fines, with the recent proposal of 'stealth cameras' on major British motorways and the suggested enforcement of 60mph speed limits on stretches of the M3 putting drivers at further risk. With this in mind, fitting a speed limiter and negating the risk represents a worthwhile investment for a business to protect their best drivers from accruing points on their licence.
Furthermore, Department of Transport figures found that 3,000 motorists are killed or seriously injured a year in accidents where speed was a factor. This is another risk that can be reduced and it is important from a business' point of view that they are taking a proactive approach to their duty of care obligations and ensuring employees are as safe as possible when driving on company time.
We believe there is a compelling argument for fitting to be compulsory on all commercial vehicles, and that's before you even consider the safety implications of drivers with a tonne or two of cargo in the back, particularly in a built up area.
It is an interesting topic to discuss and we'd love to know your thoughts on whether fitting speed limiters to commercial vehicles should be compulsory, join in the discussion by tweeting us at @CobraUKLtd.
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