TomTom Business Solutions division crowned John Kerswill and Ian McKeanas the winners of the Van Safety Award at this year’s MPG Marathon. The team scooped the award after a near-flawless display of driving over two day, the 400-mile event near Stratford-upon-Avon.
Each of this year’s eight MPG Marathon van entries were fitted with the TomTom LINK 300 tracking box which not only provided accurate mileage data but also recorded harsh braking and steering inputs as ‘driver events’. John (driver) and Ian (navigator) drove a Fiat Doblo van and impressively recorded just one minor driving event over the entire two-day’s drive. Two teams tied for second place with very creditable four ‘events’ each.
John and Ian’s smooth and controlled driving style also allowed them to achieve an impressive 58.9mpg, 24.9% above official manufacturer’s figures.
The award, endorsed by Roadsafe and the Department for Transport’s Van Best Practice initiative, sought to recognise both efficient and safe driving in the light commercial vehicle category. Each entrant’s vehicle was fitted with TomTom’s Link 300 telematics system the team with the least number of driving events would then take the honours.
“We are delighted to have TomTom WORK as the telematics provider for the MPG Marathon again this year,” said Ross Durkin, Managing Editor Fleet World Group. “We are keen to underline the link between efficient and safe driving and TomTom’s system allows us to unequivocally do just that.”
Irvin Gray, Marketing Manager at TomTom’s Business Solutions division, said: “Safe driving and reducing fuel consumption go hand-in-hand and the TomTom Van Safety Award encourages drivers, and in the real world fleet managers, to evaluate existing driving styles and make improvements. It is well documented that using telematics systems, in tandem with driver training can produce better fuel results, which ultimately leads to safer roads, while reducing fuel costs.”
RoadSafe, a partnership of leading companies in the motor industry, echoed the message of safe driving at the event. Caroline Scurr, director Driving for Better Business (a government backed programme delivered by RoadSafe), said: “The way a driver controls his vehicle is a good indication of his or her attitude towards safety. Regular harsh braking, for example, usually indicates a lack of awareness, and driving at excess speed is dangerous. John and Ian have performed to a very high standard and are to be congratulated on being an outstanding example of what can be achieved. Telematics systems such as this highlight good driving, but are also invaluable to managers and fleet directors in identifying drivers who put their vehicles and other road users at risk.”
Photo caption
From left: Ian McKean (navigator), John Kerswill (driver), Caroline Scurr director Driving for Better Business (a government backed programme delivered by RoadSafe), Rob Anderson Technical Manager Van Best Practice and Irvin Gray Marketing Manager TomTom UK & Ireland
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About TomTom Business Solutions
TomTom’s Business Solutions division is the fastest growing telematics company in Europe, selling its solutions in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, United Kingdom, the Benelux countries, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Denmark, South Africa and the US. Its connected navigation and vehicle tracking solutions are helping in excess of 120,000 vehicles to maximise efficiency and improve profit margins.
TomTom’s solutions deliver real cost savings to business, as well as maximising profitability, increasing productivity, boosting customer service, complying with legislation and help to reduce carbon footprint by monitoring the behaviour of your drivers. Entry level solutions start with WORKsmart™-Track, which can be scaled through various options in the WORKsmartTM suite to provide a full fleet management solution including two-way communication with drivers and job despatch directly to the TomTom satellite navigation unit. Workflow between office and driver is logged in TomTom’s fleet management software WEBFLEET where easy ‘at a glance’ dashboard reporting help today’s fleet manger easily manage their fleet.
TomTom continue to invest and innovate in operational excellence, product development, and customer satisfaction providing smart affordable solutions for today’s fleet manager. For more information, go to www.tomtom.com/business
About TomTom N.V.
TomTom N.V. (AEX: TOM2) is the world’s leading provider of location and navigation solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands it has over 3,000 employees worldwide. Approximately 45 million people use its solutions every day, in the form of dedicated portable navigation devices (PNDs), in-dash car systems or tracking and tracing solutions for fleet management. In addition, hundreds of millions of people use TomTom’s digital maps on the internet or mobile phones.
In 2009, TomTom reported €1.5 billion in revenues and a €340 million net cash flow from operating activities. More information about TomTom can be found at www.TomTom.com
RoadSafe
The RoadSafe mission is to reduce road deaths and injuries by supporting and encouraging partnerships between the motor industry and related companies, traffic engineers, the police, public health authorities and road safety professionals to promote the safe design and use of vehicles and roads by sharing knowledge and encouraging innovation.
Driving for Better Business is a government backed programme delivered by RoadSafe
For more information go to: www.roadsafe.co.uk
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