smstext

Thought this might be of interest to a few members here as i often refer to it and have found these bits:

Eco Driving Film

http://www.safed.org.uk/masterArt/SA...nal_9may03.pdf

http://www.safed.org.uk/documents/07...idanceNote.pdf

SAFED - Entry

http://www.safed.org.uk/documents/07...eNoteFinal.doc

http://www.safed.org.uk/SAFED%20Scot.../FourV5_03.pdf

http://www.safed.org.uk/masterArt/SA...nal_9may03.pdf

http://www.safed.org.uk/documents/07...idanceNote.pdf


With a brief outline to anyone wondering what the heck, SAFED (Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving) is backed by the government as a way of reducing carbon emissions and fuel. It teaches you to drive more efficiently and is also a good step towards the advance driving course. It can reduce your fuel consumption around 10% and often as much as 25% and reduces gear wear by a third.

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mlister5500

i have done this course it a lot like IAM

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smstext

yes its like IAM but there are quite a few differences, quite a few IAM people dont like it claiming their way is better, but i beleive everyone could get bits out of it even if they dont agree with all of it.

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robmawer

Certainly with regards anticipation (which as a matter of course involves better observation) and creating space around the car.

Not sure about the use of gears in SAFED...seems like they tend to favour the highest gear for economy rather than a gear which gives you the most control over your speed...I'd tend to favour the latter even if it meant a slight decrease in economy...

Thanks for the links anyway, v. interesting.


Rob.

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devonutopia

The first 20 minute video is good. My advanced driving day started at the same Devon driver centre. I knew most of the roads being travelled on too.

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smstext

i know what you saying rob, but ive found a lot of people use parts of it and not other parts. i guess its all down to each and everyones taste.

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ScoobyChris

Thanks for posting that, Paul. I've had a read through it and there are a few things that I don't agree with but things they've included like dealing with hazards, forward planning, etc seem to be sound. I see that they do make reference to "Roadcraft" too for the morning drive - is that referring to the Police Driver's bible or is that just their word for assessing on the road?

My other concern is that it's just a day's course and I wonder how many people actually take away what they've learnt and put it into practice....

Chris

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mdk1

Did it through work, was also concerned about there gear issues, said to keep in a high gear going up hill and let the engine labour as it uses less fuel than changing down.
Also on our "test" we did our economy run round the towns at school time. Then after training on our second run, was light traffic, needless to say they were very pleased because everyone's fuel runs were better after trainning!!

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robmawer

I think a lot of it comes down to company training policies - maybe our resident hauliers will correct me, but as far as I'm aware some logistics companies operate "economy incentives" so that using less fuel is rewarded. They then send employees on the SAFED course to equip them with the knowledge of how to fulfil these incentives...


Rob.

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smstext

when i did mine it was an hour drive out. unload talk about what ive done and what i could do and then an hours drive back the same way. the company i work for want us to save fuel but pay us mileage bonus, something like 1p per km over 150km. when really it should be saying if you use less than 20l per 100km (how the lorrys display it) we will pay you half of what we save.

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ScoobyChris

Ah that would explain the move towards eco-driving then. Just a shame they don't put quite such a high priority on safety!!!

Chris

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ncarring

I did a half-day Defensive Driving course nearly 20 years ago, and much of the content stayed with me to this day, merely being reinforced when I started RoSPA. They gave me a copy of Roadcraft, as well

So my view would be - a day is enough to get you started, and will provide some useful habits to work on, but for the full treatment, join IAM or RoADAR afterwards.

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Nick

North Wiltshire RoADAR

smstext

yes i agree if you want to get something out of it then you will, if you dont want to then least you tried it.

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