The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) latest report, “The fast and curious: young people’s attitude to driver training” has revealed that 62% of young male novice drivers think they are more skilful than the average driver. Only 32% of young women say the same.

According to DfT statistics (2010), the reality is that young novice male drivers are the highest risk group on our roads, and male drivers between the age of 17-29 are more than twice as likely to be killed or seriously injured as young female drivers.

The report also highlighted some other relevant data about young male novice drivers.

• 30% of car occupant fatalities are drivers aged 17-24, or passengers of a driver aged 17-24
• This age group however makes up only 8% of all driving licence holders (DVLA data 2010)
• Young drivers are more likely to take post-test training if a financial incentive is offered i.e. reduced insurance premiums would encourage 75% of young drivers to take further driver training.
• Training needs to be done early as the longer a driver has been driving, the less likely they feel the need for driver training.

Simon Best, IAM chief executive, said,”Young male drivers suffer from a lethal combination of overconfidence and inexperience. They don’t need curfews and other restrictions on their driving; they need to practice and gain driving experience safely”.

Mr Best went onto say,”There are many paying thousands of pounds a year in insurance and killing themselves. The solution to this problem is to link driver training and insurance discounts”.

Sounds like a good idea from the IAM?

New Mazda3

Fleet operators and company car drivers will benefit from financial savings when the new Mazda3 goes on UK sale early in 2012. The upgraded Mazda3 range features 16 standard models with a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines (with three power outputs) and for the first time the line-up includes a Mazda3 1.6 Sport Diesel. This is the model that Mazda believes will find favour with fleet operators and company car drivers alike.

Combined CO₂ emissions are cut by up to 3.5 percent depending on model, alongside improvements in fuel consumption, mean reduced petrol and diesel bills and savings in benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax for company car drivers. And of course for fleet operators this means lower Vehicle Excise Duty and National Insurance payments.

The 1.6 Sport Diesel and 1.6 Sport Nav Diesel offer competitive CO₂ emissions (115g/km), combined cycle fuel economy of 65.7mpg and a standard vehicle specification that includes a Bose audio system, heated sports seats, 17-inch alloy wheels and side skirts.

The new Mazda3 range offers a choice of six trim levels – S, TS, TS², TS² Nav, Sport and Sport Nav – as well as from launch the special edition 1.6 Tamura and 1.6D Tamura. The range has more muscular visual appeal with a new front end design, a revised rear bumper and new twist-spoke alloy wheel designs. Inside, you get new materials and colours, improved ease-of-use for the driver and a quieter cabin.

Foggy conditions

The Institute of Advanced Motorists, driver training specialist, IAM Drive & Survive, has been providing some great driving tips for driving this winter and the latest advice is around driving in foggy conditions.

Simon Elstow, head of training at the IAM, said,”Don’t underestimate the effect fog has on your perception of speed. Adjusting your driving to the weather conditions will help you to become a better driver”.

Here are the tips for driving through fog.

• Before setting off, clean your windows and windscreen and ensure all your lights are working correctly. 
• Let others know you are likely to be delayed due to the fog.
• When you’re ready to leave, switch on your dipped headlights. Only use your front and rear fog lights where visibility is less than 100 metres.
• Use your windscreen wipers on an intermittent setting to clear the fine mist that collects on the windscreen.
• Slow down and keep enough distance between yourself and the vehicle in front. Make sure you can stop safely within the distance you can see clearly ahead of you.
• Avoid relying on the vehicle in front as a guide to any hazards ahead. Fog makes it much more difficult to judge how hard vehicles are braking and they might be slow to react.
• Brake gently but earlier than usual so your brake lights warn other drivers behind.
• At junctions, wind the window down and listen for oncoming traffic.
• Take high-visibility clothing in case you have to leave the car for some reason.

Volvo XC60 DRIVe

The new Volvo XC60 DRIVe is ideal for any company car driver looking for the benefits of a comfortable raised driving position but likes the idea of low company car tax and good fuel consumption.

The CO2 emissions of this Volvo sits neatly under the 160g/km threshold at 159g/km and the car offers 47.1mpg on the combined fuel cycle as well. Powered by a 2.4-litre diesel engine and front wheel drive, Volvo has been able to offer a premium Crossover that will appeal to the tax conscious company car driver. Volvo car leasing prices on this model are available now.

Trafficmaster

Trafficmaster is the UK’s leading provider of intelligent driving solutions and they have just updated their Fleet Director fleet management system.

The new updgrade includes the following enhancements;

- Actual closest vehicle to a job based on live traffic solutions.

- Live traffic information and virtual mapping monitoring 8,000 miles of UK roads.

- Instant dashboards for straightforward reporting.

- Two-way messaging on a new Colour Touchscreen allowing the driver and fleet manager to communicate.

John Lawrence, Sales and Marketing Director Trafficmaster said, “We have worked with our customers to develop these practical features that not only meet but anticipate future business needs of the fleet manager”.