Driver coaching

Lower fuel consumption, less wear and tear and a more relaxed driver behind the wheel. Driving style coaching truly makes a difference. All AB Texel drivers in the Netherlands are joined by driving style coach Harnt de Haan for at least one drive. Harm, Driver at AB Texel: “Before I received coaching, I was always in a hurry. Now I’m much more relaxed when I drive the truck."

Harm has been driving trucks for twenty years. He first started at a smaller company that was later acquired by AB Texel. ‘I always had the feeling that someone was pursuing me', he says. ‘So I was always in a hurry. My driving style consisted of putting my foot down, driving fast and braking suddenly. Driving style coaching has enabled me to gradually change these habits.’

^{Harm Lageveen}

Since 2020, and as part of the Code 95 training, all AB Texel drivers in the Netherlands have been receiving internal practical training with driving style coach Harnt de Haan. ‘I sit in with the driver for a few hours to observe whether they can optimise their driving style. The aim is to develop a more economical driving style and reduce maintenance costs. At the same time, I also pay close attention to road user safety.’

Reduced fuel consumption

'Most of the improvements can be made when the truck is coasting', Harnt says. ‘When approaching a crossroad or roundabout, you can often release the gas pedal hundreds of metres in advance. If a traffic light is red, it means you can accelerate and continue driving as soon as it turns green. By doing this it saves a lot of fuel, as it takes a lot more fuel to get a truck back up to speed from a standstill.’
Harm: ‘I always drove full throttle towards roundabouts before hitting the brakes hard. I had no idea that another way of driving would be more sustainable and efficient. My brakes wear out a lot less quickly now and I've also learned to accelerate in a different way. Pressing the accelerator pedal all the way down doesn’t generate any extra acceleration power; it’s better and more economical to accelerate at 75%.

^{Harnt de Haan & Harm Lageveen}

Change of driver behaviour and attitude

Harnt: ‘It’s about changing attitudes and behaviour, which isn’t always easy when you've developed certain habits over the years. That’s why I always schedule a call a month after the training has finished to hear how things are going and if I might need to sit in with the driver again. We can also track progress through a software program that is linked to the on-board computer. Each driver can view their results in this program; these are then translated into a final rating.’

Harm increased his score from 7.7 to 8.5. ‘I’m very conscious of my driving style now and see the importance of getting my fellow drivers to understand this too. This way of driving economically has also made me calmer; I’m much more relaxed behind the wheel now.'