We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Car website. However, if you would like to, you can change your cookies at any time
The start point for the best source of fleet information |
Once it became clear that strike action at the Grangemouth oil refinery was going ahead Ministers in Scotland began cascading messages of calm, urging drivers not to panic buy fuel. They rightly reassured motorists that there would be no shortage unless drivers altered their buying patterns with ten weeks of fuel stock to draw from and fuel imports en-route.
Once it became clear that strike action at the Grangemouth oil refinery was going ahead Ministers in Scotland began cascading messages of calm, urging drivers not to panic buy fuel. They rightly reassured motorists that there would be no shortage unless drivers altered their buying patterns with ten weeks of fuel stock to draw from and fuel imports en-route.
But as we should probably expect, many drivers did panic. Our Arval fuel card figures show that many drivers started filling up more regularly but smaller amounts to ensure that their tank remained constantly full. My concern is that fleet managers do not fall into this panic trap and generally take a more measured approach when responding to issues in the market.
This year there has been plenty for the more nervous fleet operator to get worked up about, most notably the introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter Act. Making it possible to prosecute a corporate entity following a fatal accident has caused dread for some.
My message is that we must remember, while the act does make possible a different form of prosecution, nothing has actually changed from a health and safety perspective. While fleets must not become complacent, they are required to comply with existing health safety laws, just as they were before the introduction of the Act.
It was a similar story back in 2003 with Government changes to the Fourth EU Motor Insurance Directive. Fears that this would swamp fleet operators in red tape by demanding they immediately register changes to their fleets on a new database were largely unfounded and common sense prevailed but the panic had set in with some none the less.
There are similar concerns with regards the national road pricing scheme. We don't currently have clarity around how this will look or when it will happen but concern is growing as to the impact that this could have on fleet.
Going back to Grangemouth, the strike is coming to an end and only a handful of filling stations are reported to have run out of fuel. So don't get me wrong, I fully support conscientious fleet managers who act quickly to come into line with new legislation and changes within the market, but a word of caution.
It is often worth stepping back, taking a few deep breaths and adopting a more measured approach. Often the impacts are much less than the press hype and there is an onus on the fleet manager to offer their business objective and well thought out advice.
BusinessCar magazine ©2019
Business Car Magazine © 2020 | Business Car is part of NS Media Group.
