Forget “Driving home for Christmas”. Hundreds of fleet drivers are on the roads the entirety of the festive period, vitally keeping their businesses moving. It’s no easy task – whether you’re transporting goods or services – with long and tiring shifts, traffic jams, unpredictable weather and more. However, there are a few things you can do to make your journeys a little more jolly.
Stay warm
The weather outside is frightful and inside your vehicle, there’s no cosy fire in sight. But you can make the most of your heating system and now is a great time to check it’s in working order. Hop in and turn the heater on, letting it run for a few minutes. Check if warm air is coming through the vents and the airflow is consistent. If it doesn’t seem right, inspect the coolant level in your vehicle’s radiator and reservoir. When it’s too low, it can stop the heater working effectively. Also take a look at the cabin air filter, as a clogged one can restrict airflow and reduce efficiency. It might be best to visit a mechanic for a proper diagnosis as it could also be issues with the thermostat, blower motor or heater core.
Stay safe
Long drives can be exhausting. That’s why it’s vital you check in with yourself to make sure you’re not feeling tired. Take regular breaks to avoid sleepiness and stop for a coffee or some food to keep your energy up. Some vehicles even come fitted with ‘fatigue detection’ which is an extra safety measure that will alert you when to take a rest stop.
When you’re on the move, it’s essential that you drive safely. You might want to arrive at your destination faster but you need to go steady, adapting your speed as winter roads can be slippery. Keep a safe stopping distance between you and other vehicles too. Check all your headlights are clean and working so you have better visibility in the dark or drizzly weather.
Stay prepared
When you make sure your vehicle is in tip-top condition and drive safely, you’ll dramatically reduce the risk of any issues. However, it’s still a good idea to be prepared in case the worst happens. Remember, some things are out of your control like heavy snow or long delays. Before travelling in winter, make sure you’ve packed a kit of cold weather essentials. This should include water, snacks, warm clothing, a blanket, torch and perhaps a thermos with a hot drink. These will keep you hydrated, fed and warm if you break down or get stuck. Try to find a way of charging your phone in case you need to let someone know where you are.
Stay seasonal
Making your festive journeys easier isn’t all serious. You should still be able to enjoy this period and have a little fun too. There are a few ways to boost Christmas cheer – by creating a playlist or even decorating your car. Why not add a touch of tinsel to your dashboard? It spreads some joy as long as it’s safe and not obstructing your view. Or you could apply a bumper sticker and even hang a bauble from your rearview mirror. If creating a playlist sounds like hard work, there are Christmas radio stations and 24/7 streams of festive favourites on BBC Radio Sounds.
How fuelGenie makes festive driving merrier:
Easy access
With fuelGenie (our free fuel card) or fuelGenie+ (just 50p a month per card), you’ll have access to thousands of petrol stations all over the country. The fuelGenie app even has a fuel station finder and price checker so you can see your closest and cheapest option on-the-go. This makes it easier to plan routes while saving time and stress when searching for fuel during long shifts or busy holiday traffic.
Cost control
Fleets also save money on their fuel costs with fuelGenie. Both of our cards include the wide network of low-cost supermarket stations at Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s. On average, the price is 3p per litre cheaper*. Business owners can also use the online or app account management to control driver spend and limit their purchase options to keep costs down.
Better support
fuelGenie simplifies admin for fleet drivers too. The card generates automatic digital receipts so there’s no need to collect paper copies. Plus the invoices are HMRC-approved so businesses can easily reclaim 100% of business fuel VAT. Our customers also have access to a friendly UK-based customer service team. They can help answer any questions by phone, email or post Monday to Thursday 09.00 to 17.30 and Fridays 09.00 to 17.00.
Ready to apply?
Simply head to our website and click the ‘Apply Now’ button. It’ll take you to an online form that only takes a few minutes to fill in. You’ll just need your personal details and key information about your business to start the process. Once you’ve applied, we’ll be in touch to help you start saving time and money with fuelGenie.
*The “Over 3 pence per litre” saving message is based on the difference between the published Government Weekly diesel fuel pump prices and the diesel pump price (inc. taxes) paid per litre for diesel by fuelGenie customers for the comparable period. During 2021 fuelGenie customers buying diesel at Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s saved an average of 3.11 pence per litre when compared to the Government Weekly road fuel prices.
