Of all the issues facing fleet managers today, the issue of safety is paramount. Of all the on the job fatalities in the U.S. truck drivers account for approximately one quarter of those. In-vehicle telematic devices however are helping to change this trend.
The following are 5 ways that telematics can boost fleet safety.
1. Reduce speed and unsafe driving
When drivers know that they are being monitored, it helps to improve their driving behavior. According to the World Health Organization, speed is a contributing factor to about 30% of all driving fatalities in developed countries.
Telematics can be used to determine if a driver is speeding or engaging in other unsafe driving behavior such as braking or accelerating too quickly. Fleet managers can then use this information to better train and coach their drivers.
2. Manage driver fatigue
Another benefit of telematics is that it can help to monitor for and manage driver fatigue. In addition to automatically entering hours of service logs for your drivers, these systems can also pick up on driving behaviors that indicate that a driver is tired – such as drifting lanes, and alert the driver so that they can take a break.
3. Managing vehicle safety
According to a study conducted by NHTSA, approximately 20% of accidents are caused in part or in full as a result of poor vehicle maintenance. With telematics systems installed in your fleet vehicles, you will not only get notifications of regularly scheduled maintenance, but you can also receive alerts that something in the vehicle may need repair.
This not only helps to keep your vehicles in better condition, but it can save your company a significant amount of money since minor issues can be repaired before they become major issues.
4. Provide fleet-wide visibility
Telematics technology allows fleet managers to see their whole fleet at once is helps them to evaluate and control risks. Additionally, it can help with fleet efficiency, communicating with drivers and suppliers, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Fleet-wide visibility allows supervisors better communication with stakeholders regarding potential delay and delivery timeframes.
5. Foster a culture of safety
Monitoring driver behavior doesn’t just allow you to correct bad behavior, it also allows you to reward good behavior. And this can help you to foster a culture of safety within your organization. Overall, telematics can help to improve your fleet safety in a number of areas and can benefit fleet managers, supervisors, and drivers alike.
Contact Trux Solutions today!
Are you interested in learning more about telematics technology for your fleet? Trux Solutions can help. Call us today to speak with a member of our team.
