According to new analysis from Lex Autolease, the proportion of fleet drivers incurring fines and penalties for minor offences increased by 21% during the first half of 2019, compared with the same period last year.
The research was compiled from Lex Autolease’s fleet of just under 362,000 company cars and vans operating across the UK, to identify trends in driver behaviour and opportunities for fleets to cut costs. The findings revealed that drivers racked up a £10.6m bill for fines and penalties between January and June, an increase of 41% compared with the same period last year.
The research also found that while the percentage of drivers caught by bus lane cameras fell by 19% year on year, the proportion being fined for illegal junction-box stops, red-route driving, and other similar infringements increased by 154% over the same period.
Consistent with the trends seen in previous years, company car drivers are more likely to be fined in private car parks than public ones. 78% of parking fines incurred by company car drivers during the first half of 2019 were from private car parks.
Guy Mason, Head of Motor Operations Customer and Business Design at Lex Autolease, said: “Analysis of our data has revealed an opportunity for businesses to further reduce the amount they spend on staff travel by taking proactive steps to minimise the fines incurred by employees on the roads. Investing in driver education will help employees modify their behaviour and avoid minor penalties.
“As fleets start transitioning towards alternative fuels, the importance of driver training is only set to grow, so that the whole life cost savings achieved by using low or zero emission vehicles are not compromised by the costs of fines and penalties.”
See the BVRLA’s Guide to Road Traffic Offences, for assistance with these and penalty charge notices.
