The best drivers can reduce total operating costs by more than 12 percent but the worst drivers can drive up costs by more than 13 percent, according to a release from Chevin Fleet Solutions.

“In terms of average vehicle life cycle costs, the difference between the best and worst drivers will run into thousands of dollars per vehicle, and even on a medium sized fleet, could total a six figure variance,” said Ron Katz, senior vice president of North American Sales.

The fleet management software systems company says key areas where driver behavior impacts vehicle operating costs include fuel, maintenance, accidents and the vehicles condition.

The majority of fleets who have tighter driver controls and put an emphasis on higher levels of personal responsibility correlated directly to reduced costs, says Katz.