Raising the fleet safety bar

Concerted efforts have been made by businesses to raise the standards of work-related road safety over recent years.

Fleets, however, have had much to contend with of late and some businesses could be forgiven for prioritising their bottom line above all else. There can be little room for complacency, however. Indeed, the legal, reputational and financial costs of cutting corners when it comes to managing risk can be business critical.

TAKING THE PULSE OF ROAD SAFETY

Recent research from Webfleet Solutions has shone a spotlight on the areas of safety that pose the biggest concerns for UK commercial fleet managers.

Three-quarters (73 per cent) of those surveyed for the company’s ‘European Road Safety Report 2021’ claimed poor driving behaviour negatively impacted their business, with 65 per cent recognising that it also risked harming their company’s reputation. 

Respondents were most worried about their drivers’ habits behind the wheel, specifically the use of mobile phones and other devices (71 per cent), followed by speeding (69 per cent), eating or drinking while driving (68 per cent), and driving while fatigued (67 per cent).

TACKLING THE NUMBERS

Taking a reading of current driving standards to identify where problems exist, setting performance benchmarks, and establishing targets for improvement offer appropriate first steps for those with fleet responsibilities.

Telematics can be a valuable technology partner, delivering a range of performance information, from data on speeding and idling to harsh steering or braking, in real time.

For example, Webfleet Solutions’ SaaS fleet management system will not only highlight where fleet performance is falling below expected levels, it can enable managers to determine which drivers are contributing to problem trends too.

AN EYE ON THE VEHICLE

Integrated camera systems expand on the fleet visibility offered by telematics platforms, providing further opportunities to enhance driver safety.

WEBFLEET Video combines Webfleet Solutions’ vehicle and driving data with advanced machine vision and artificial intelligence-powered camera technology to give managers a more complete picture of how their vehicles are operating.

Not only does this give them a better understanding of the reasons behind driving incidents – while alerting drivers to correct their behaviour before accidents occur – the video footage provides evidence in the event of insurance claims. This helps protect drivers from non-fault claims and enables training to be better targeted.

THE TECH ROUTE TO STRESS MANAGEMENT

Drivers have long been exposed to a myriad of pressures – from tight delivery windows to the frustrations of traffic congestion. These can have a considerable impact on their working lives, serving to heighten stress levels.

Telematics solutions that ease the administrative burden by digitising a range of tasks, from mileage capture to vehicle safety checks, can once again help here. What’s more, navigation and routing systems that incorporate live traffic information enable companies and drivers to plan around delays and reduce journey times.  

By employing such telematics tools to safeguard driver safety and wellbeing, fleets can lay the foundations for best practice in professional standards.

*To find out how WEBFLEET can help your business, call 0208 822 3605 or visit www.webfleet.com

Published On: 03/06/2021 17:00:57

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