Fleet management company calls for cost-benefit analysis on winter tyres

ERJ staff report (DS)

London -- A UK-based fleet management services company says fleet managers should perform a cost-benefit analysis on the use of Winter tyres. Unsurprisingly, it suggests the use of its own software to perform the task.

Jon Tandy, business development manager at Mycompanyfleet, said accident and repair costs increased generally during the winter months, typically by 25-50 percent, due to poor driving conditions and longer periods of darkness. He added, “Fleet managers have to balance the additional tyre costs against the likelihood of increased accident rates without the tyres, at a time of year when accident rates rise quite dramatically."

“If switching to cold weather tyres saves one accident from occurring, the tyres will undoubtedly pay for themselves - but perhaps more importantly drivers will also be safer into the bargain,” he said. Tandy did not refer to the duty of care fleet managers have to their drivers to ensure their safety, irrespective of cost.

Instead, he said, “winter tyres seem to be on average around £40-50 per tyre more expensive than their summer equivalents, although guidelines suggest they may well last two to three winters depending on mileage. That needs to be balanced against the cost of an accident caused by the cold weather conditions, Again it is impossible to be exact because accidents vary so much, but incidents can cost from a few hundred pounds to several thousands, or even a write-off.

Again, Tandy did not refer to the costs associated with possible injuries either to the driver or to other people as a result of potential accidents.

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Press release from MyCompany Fleet