Fuel card news

Daylight saving plans likely to help fuel card users

Published: 24/01/2012

Haulage firms and fleet companies that utilise fuel cards could enjoy significant benefits from any plan to shift daylight savings times.

Last week saw the introduction of a new bill calling for an end to the practice of daylight saving.

This would mean that during the winter months, rather than putting the clocks back an hour, UK haulage firms would benefit from an extra hour of light later in the day, when the UK road network hits arguably its busiest time.

This shift could provide countless advantages for haulage firms.

Statistics indicate that there are a higher number of road accidents at night, when visibility is limited, compared with daytime driving.

Having an extra hour of light will not only reduce accidents on the UK motorways, but also eliminate the potential hold-ups caused by accidents.

These hold ups can often result in further fuel consumption too, with drivers finding their journeys grinding to a halt despite fuel continuing to be used.

The change in daylight hours could also provide benefits in winter driving too, with GEM Motoring Assist chief executive David Williams highlighting the dangers to haulage firms.

“Poor weather, decreased visibility and bad road conditions are all rife during the winter months and have a serious effect on the rise in accidents and hazardous breakdown situations," he said.