fleetnews.co.uk/SME March 2011 9within the British Library and, while there have always been driving policies and procedures in place, I have tried to update initiatives to ensure the fleet operates along best practice lines and our drivers and the public are as safe as possible."Staff have had training with the Institute of Advanced Motorists to improve driving standards."This qualification is now a benchmark for the depart­ment and anybody who joins the team will either have to be an advanced driver, or be willing to work towards obtaining this qualification," says Fisher.Each one of the British Library vehicles is checked daily by drivers and undergoes a formal monthly check. All vehicles also carry first aid kitsA daily journey log book is also included in every vehicle for details of all trips including: journey distance, time of journey and fuel usage to ensure an auditable record.Fisher's approach to running his fleet has helped the Fleet profile The British LibraryEnvironmental and efficiency standardsA developing area of interest for the British Library is improvement to its performance against environmental and efficiency standards.  A survey of the trips that the transport and distribution department driving team undertake was carried out.  As 40% of the trips only had one passenger, it was decided that the depart-ment could operate with two Volkswagen Trans-porter Shuttles and a car.  After testing and analysis, it decided to select a Skoda Fabia Greenline Estate.  The purchase criteria were:n Cost n Green credentials (cheaper road tax) n Fuel economy (estimated 60+mpg, possibly more) n Emissions (CO2=109g/km) n Passenger safety (driver, passenger, side airbags and other safety features) As a result of purchasing this vehicle, the British Library expects to save approximately £2,500 per year from its fuel budget. It could have bought a smaller vehicle, but wanted the flexibility of moving goods as well as people.British Library achieve business champion status under the 'Driving for Better Business' campaign, which is managed by RoadSafe.He says: "There are many organisations close to the British Library transport operation in Yorkshire that run a small number of vehicles. I would like to help them introduce best practice operations and particularly focus on helping them to manage driver fatigue."Next on his safety-first agenda is to update policies and procedures for employees who drive their own cars on business trips. That will include new measures around driving licence and vehicle documentation checks.Michael Parish, programme consultant for the Driving for Better Business campaign, says: "The British Library may have a very unique fleet, but it has introduced a wide range of safety initiatives which other organisations oper­ating small fleets can identify with and implement very easily with significant benefits."David Fisher, the British Library's transport and distribution manager