The deal marks Ashwoods Lightfoot’s first partnership with a leading UK contract hire and leasing company and Activa Contracts anticipates strong demand for the technology, which can be fitted to company cars and light commercial vehicles.

The firms said the new in-vehicle option can cut accident rates by up to 60% and fuel bills by as much as 20%, while reducing vehicle wear and tear, insurance premiums and CO2 emissions.

Once Ashwoods Lightfoot is installed in a vehicle, its dashboard-mounted screen delivers real-time visual and verbal guidance to employees on their driving style.

Fleet decision-makers receive a weekly email highlighting the at-the-wheel performance of individual drivers in a colour-coded chart and their ranking within the fleet, organised from the best driver downwards.

Underpinning the weekly reporting, Activa Contracts will undertake analytical reviews and make recommendations, which could include driver training with partner company AA DriveTech, for employees deemed to be ‘at risk’ as shown by the Ashwoods Lightfoot data. The technology is part of Activa Contracts’ suite of vehicle and driver risk management solutions and is being offered at an additional cost to customers.

In addition, Ashwoods Lightfoot also provides a vehicle tracking option. This enables fleets to track their assets, optimise their operations and keep their personnel secure.

Fleet decision-makers can gain online information showing the current position of vehicles, speed of travel and drivers’ behaviour. Ashwoods Lightfoot also provides online reports highlighting data including start and finish address, mileage and idling.

Martin Kadhim, director at Ashwoods Lightfoot, said: “By empowering the driver to change their own behaviour and by delivering real-time, all-of-the-time coaching through Ashwoods Lightfoot, Activa Contracts will enable its customers’ fleets to become significantly safer and more efficient, cutting fuel bills, accidents, wear and tear, CO2 emissions and the volume of data that fleet managers have to contend with. It’s a win, win situation for all involved.”