The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that a further £1.2m will be spent on the Safe and Fuel Efficient Drivers (SAFED) scheme for vans, taking its total investment in the programme to £2.2m.
The money will part-fund training for new instructors, new assessors and up to 6,500 drivers over the next three years. The one-day training course, which involves a mix of classroom and on-the-road tuition, concentrates on improving road awareness, driving at a safe distance from the vehicle in front, avoiding over-revving and reducing gear changes.
Since its conception in 2006 it has been attended by 7,800 drivers, and according to the DfT, has resulted in an overall fuel saving of £3.3m per year. The extra funding is available on a first come, first served basis, and participants are expected to pay toward their training. For further details go here.