Category: Fleet News

Schools up and down the country will be getting back into full swing in the coming weeks and that means millions of parents will be taking on the oft-dreaded school run once more.

That said, GEM Motoring Assist believes parents can help to make the roads a safer place for all when dropping off or picking up their kids, as well as by teaching them how to use roads safely.

Do your bit to boost school run safety

GEM road safety officer Neil Worth commented: “As another school year begins, we encourage all parents, guardians, teachers, carers and older siblings to play their part in helping children to use the roads with respect, to recognise the risks they face and to understand effective ways of minimising those risks.”

Here are GEM’s top tips on how to reduce risk:

• Always drop off older children in a safe location, away from busy roads if possible.
• Allow plenty of time to drive to school so journeys are not fraught and rushed.
• Be patient when children are crossing the road and always be prepared to stop.
• Respect all speed limits – remember that most areas in and around schools will have a 20mph limit.
• Give your kids bright, fluorescent clothing, as making sure they are seen is essential for safety.

Mr Worth concluded that every child should know how to follow the Green Cross Code and how to deal with roads safely. It’s an essential step in growing up and means they’ll be far safer when walking, cycling and, even later, driving.

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “The school run can be a hectic time for many parents, but it pays to always plan ahead and make sure you aren’t getting flustered, even when the traffic can be a nightmare.”

Ford has unveiled its all-new MS-RT Transit Connect model, with prices starting from £23,995 + VAT.

The model follows the launch of the MS-RT Transit Custom in 2018, which was extremely well received among buyers.

Not a van for the faint of heart

M-RT founding director Edward Davies commented: “We’ve enjoyed unprecedented success with the MS-RT Transit Custom, with the order books completely full since launch.

“Our customers absolutely love their vans and the uniqueness of them, so we expect that the Connect will develop a similar following.”

Features of the new van are set to include a stainless steel sports exhaust system, 18-inch OZ Racing alloy wheels and a carbon inlay sports steering wheel.

The model has been designed by Ford’s works rally team and the attention to performance shows. It comes with a full MS-RT plastic injection-moulded body kit, as well as unique front bumper, grilles, front diffuser, side skirts, rear bumper, rear diffuser and spoiler.

All MS-RT Transit Connects will come with a three-year, 100,000-mile warranty. In addition, LED load space lighting, a premium infotainment pack, sat nav and reversing camera, bi-xenon headlights and twin side loading doors all come as standard.

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “The new MS-RT Transit Connect is a beautiful model both on the inside and out. It’s sure to be the talk of drivers for any fleet that buys one.”

Fuel Card Services are pleased to welcome two new sites where our BP fuel cards can be used and confirm that two sites have recently reopened after work to refresh and update facilities.

Opposite Anfield football stadium in Liverpool, Priory Service Station – L4 2SL opens next week. This is not a Bunker site however it does offer a high canopy as well as a range of food and drink options.

Euro Garages Stevenage Service Station – SG1 2FS joined the BP network this month and is located just off Junction 7 of the A1M. This is a non-bunker and non-HGV suitable site with a range of quality food brands to choose from for a refreshing stop.

After 6 months closed Great Torrington SF Connect – EX38 8EJ reopened on 22nd July. The site is located on the A386 and offers drivers a great M&S stop on their route.

Additionally, Bridgend Garage – KY15 7HY recently reopened with a brand new HGV lane. This site is situated on the A92 and now suitable for HGV’s – please note however this is not currently a Bunker site.

Find your nearest BP pump

The end of the summer is fast approaching and that means a last chance for drivers to get out and about in the sunshine. It’s a busy time of year for travellers, so there are more cars on the roads and that can, ultimately, mean tempers get frayed.

With this in mind, GEM Motoring Assist has offered some helpful advice on how to deal with irate road users – we’ve all been face to face with road rage, but keeping your cool is essential.

Don’t get drawn in

When faced with another driver who’s less than serene, GEM road safety officer Neil Worth advises:

• Keep calm and show restraint: Avoid using your horn or making gestures in anger; this will only antagonise others.
• Resist the urge to ‘get even’: Even if the standard of someone else’s driving is sub-par, don’t feel the need to educate or rebuke them.
• Say ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’: Courtesy goes a long way, so always remember to show appreciation to other road users and apologise for your own mistakes.
• Move away from trouble: If push comes to shove, move away from any potential confrontation and don’t be tempted to engage.

Mr Worth concluded: “Most of us will have some experience of being on the receiving end of someone else’s aggression. Thankfully, violent and unprovoked attacks are rare, but it pays to be observant and if possible to recognise signs of trouble at their earliest stages.”

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “With busy roads come a great deal of frustration, but knowing how to defuse a potentially volatile situation will ensure you avoid becoming the subject of others’ anger.”

More fleet owners than ever are choosing Volvos as their company cars, if new sales figures are anything to go by.

According to Volvo Car UK, the brand recorded a 43 per cent rise in true fleet sales for January to June 2019, making it the fastest-growing brand in the sector.

A growing choice for businesses

More than 8,500 cars were sold for business use during this six-month period, contributing significantly to the 30,000 units sold overall.

This keeps the company on target to meet its ambition of selling 60,000 units every year by 2020 and marks a 27 per cent increase on the number sold last year.

Volvo has been focusing heavily on its offerings for business customers, having recently launched a virtual sales team and business sales manager to help busy fleet owners source vehicles for their companies.

Managers may also have been more tempted to try a Volvo after the brand demonstrated a winning streak at industry awards during the start of the year.

Its XC40 won New Company Car of the Year at the Fleet News Awards – the first ever SUV to do so – and the XC40 Momentum T3 scooped Best Compact SUV in the Business Motoring Awards.

Looking ahead, the highly-anticipated XC40 T5 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid is likely to encourage even more interest among business owners.

Volvo Car UK spokesperson Steve Beattie said: “The strong increase in true fleet sales is testament not only to our fantastic new product range, but also to the dedication of our fleet team and their unremitting focus on making life easier for our business customers.”

Volvo has produced more than 21 million cars since 1927.

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “Volvo has always been renowned for its safety, comfortable ride and engineering, so we’re not surprised to see fleet owners viewing it as their go-to brand.”