Supplier Activa Contracts recommended the North East Autism Society to fit sophisticated in-vehicle driver behaviour technology to its vehicle fleet. Lightfoot technology plays a vital role in cutting fleet operational overheads and it also provides a vehicle tracking option that makes it easier to keep the personnel secure.

Lisa Murphy, the Society’s governance support manager, who is in charge of the fleet, said: “Lightfoot technology is being introduced for multiple reasons but all linked to safety and encouraging people to adopt a smoother style of driving when behind the wheel.

The Society is a big provider of services to children and adults with autism, including education, social and vocational programmes, employment skills, as well as supporting them with a range of residential homes, living arrangements, and short break facilities. It operates a fleet of approximately 60 vehicles, mainly Vauxhall Vivaro Minibuses and Ford C-Max MPVs, driven by some 270 people.

The Society aims to equip all of its fleet with Lightfoot by the end of 2018. It will not only help fleet managers meet occupational road risk management obligations, but it will also cut the overall operating costs. This approach will empower drivers to adjust the way they drive, quickly becoming second nature. Moreover, the in-vehicle option has the ability to cut fleet accident rates by up to 60% and fuel bills by as much as 20%, while reducing vehicle wear and tear, carbon dioxide emissions, and insurance premiums.

“The tool improves and sustains good driver behaviour. It is like having a driver trainer sitting next to a driver every second they are on the road, encouraging them in real-time to drive in the most efficient way possible and making sure they do not slip back into bad habits,” said Anne Cunnell, Activa Contracts’ area manager and the Society’s account manager.

Activa Contracts is providing the majority of the vehicles on contract hire with full maintenance agreements and operated on four-year/100,000-mile replacement cycles. The company has been a supplier for the Society for almost four years and additionally, it also undertakes drive licence validation on their behalf.