Now in its second year, the unique event puts fleet drivers’ skills to the ultimate test through a three month assessment. The ten finalists have already had their highway knowledge tested, completed an independent online psychometric assessment to identify behaviours that contribute to a driver’s increased risk of having an accident, and their driving style monitored for a month through in-vehicle telematics. The finalists now face a set of highly skilled driving challenges at this year’s Fleet World Fleet Show on 9th April at Silverstone – the home of British motorsport.

2014 Finalists:

1. David Mills – Amec
2. Paul Ward – Electricity North West
3. Philip Palmer – Cardsave
4. Warren Stevens – Rapiscan
5. Andy Unsworth – United Utilities
6. Vicki Farley – Galliford Try
7. Paul Saunders – Galliford Try
8. Andy Price – Zurich
9. Stephen Annable – Alstom
10. Chris Osborn – Rexel 

The competition, organised by ALD Automotive in association with Fleet World and event partners AA DriveTech and Toyota & Lexus Fleet Services, aims to find the UK’s best company car driver and promote smarter, safer driving. 

During the in-vehicle telematics stage, the drivers completed more than 46,000 miles with their driving styles monitored to highlight those with the smoothest, safest and most cost effective driving behaviour. Any exception events including speeding, harsh braking, acceleration, driving without a break, and idling were benchmarked and scored in conjunction with ALD Automotive’s partner AA DriveTech. During the month long period more than 400 events were recorded, a 31 per cent reduction compared to the same stage of the competition last year. 

Rhys Harrhy, telematics consultant for ALD Automotive, said: ‘We’ve been impressed with the drivers that have entered this year’s competition. This is a significant reduction in terms of the number of events that have been recorded and perhaps a reflection of drivers being more conscious of their driving style and taking less risks.’ 

Mel Dawson, managing director for ALD Automotive, said: ‘We’ve been really pleased with the response we’ve had from fleet managers and company car drivers for this year’s competition and are looking forward to crowning this year’s Fleet Driver of the Year at next week’s Fleet Show. The day should be a lot of fun for the drivers but is ultimately aimed at testing drivers’ skills and raising awareness with fleet managers of the affect driver behaviour can have on costs. Fleets may be funded in the most tax efficient way and use the most fuel efficient cars available, but when the keys are handed over, it’s driving style that has the biggest influence on cost, risk and CO2 output.’ 

For further details on ALD Automotive’s Fleet Driver of the Year 2014 competition please visit www.fdoty.com