View from Norwich: are flat shoes the key to smarter driving?

Our latest cabbies update comes from Team Norwich, currently leading the way in the team championship. Our drivers Rob Elliott and Bernie Searle (the leading cabbie so far) reveal why they think they’ve achieved such a strong start to the challenge.

Bernie Searle:
“I have enjoyed implementing the fuel efficiency tips, and have focused particularly on implementing the tip of looking further ahead whilst driving, giving me more time to slow down and avoid any harsh braking. It might sound funny but I think that the simple habit of wearing flat shoes, which allow more feeling and control on the acceleration, could perhaps be the secret to my success!

“I’m thrilled to report that through following the driving tips, my cab is now averaging 37mpg. I’m looking forward to an approximate saving of £150 at the end of the month.”

Rob Elliott:
“I have been testing the theory that switching off my air con when it’s unnecessary will save on fuel by approximately 8%, as well as ensuring that my cab is not carrying any excess weight – which I know will increase the drag and ultimately cost me more in fuel.

“Although it wasn’t a requirement of the challenge, I also decided to experiment with switching the fuel I use, a change which has subsequently delivered more diesel per mile for my money. I’m really happy about this and it goes to show that it’s worth investigating these matters rather than just sticking with what you know or going for the fuel that appears to be the cheapest.”

Fuel efficient drivers make safer drivers

Edmund King, President of the AA:
Our latest AA/Populus poll of more than 16,000 drivers shows that three quarters of them are cutting back on journeys, cutting back on other expenditure, or cutting back on both, due to the high cost of fuel. However, there is another way to counter the fuel prices – drive more efficiently.

We’ve always taken a keen interest in ways to increase fuel efficiency in the UK. But as well as helping drivers to save money – not to mention protecting the environment – there are many ways in which fuel efficiency is also linked to safer driving.

We try to engage with drivers on the subject of fuel efficiency by giving them handy hints and tips which are practical and easy to adopt. We deliver these both via our website and through our Drive Smart lessons, a number of which we’re adapting to apply the Shell smartercabdrivers tips and offering as prizes to Twitter followers of the Shell Smarter Cab Drivers project. Amongst these tips, drivers will find that sticking to a sensible speed limit, driving smoothly and accelerating gently will mean you use less fuel as well as becoming a safer, steadier and more reliable driver in the process.

We have recently formed the AA Charitable Trust for Road Safety and the Environment to offer training to newly qualified drivers to help them improve on their driving skills as well as their safety. The uptake for this type of training is always high as the benefits are so obvious – ensuring the safety of yourself and those around you, while managing to save money on fuel at the same time.

We’d encourage everyone to take a look at the fuel efficient driving tips on www.smartercabdrivers.com.