AfMA Fleetdrive Issue 16 | Page 7

TIP #6 Instantly improve driver behaviour FLEETDRIVE In addition to monitoring location and routes, many telematics systems can be used to identify behaviours such as sudden braking or accelerating and speeding. Telematics can also be used to ensure drivers stick to their routes. There is strong evidence that this immediate feedback helps drivers train themselves and drive more safely a recent study by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) showed that the number of alerts to drivers dropped anywhere from 30 to 70%, indicating improved driving behaviour. Report fuel efficiency TIP #7 TIP #8 Fuel is a large expenditure, especially when you have a fleet of vehicles to continuously fill up. By allowing managers to track fuel usage through detailed reports, fleet telematics reduces fuel costs and promotes better fuel efficiency. These reports provide an in-depth look at where and how fuel is being used, or in some cases, misused. Certain driving patterns, such as idling and speeding, lead to wasted fuel, which is bad for both your finances and for the environment. With alerts and reports that pinpoint unnecessary or unauthorised fuel use, managers are better able to address these concerns among their drivers. Prevent rather than cure Advanced engine diagnostics help fleet managers keep tabs on vehicle health and performance through alerts, vehicle inspection reports, and charts that indicate potential risks. This information helps to prevent emergencies, reduce maintenance expenses, and prolong the life of each vehicle. Some features of diagnostic reporting can include excessive hard braking and hard stops alerts to reduce wear and tear, vehicle fault codes so engine issues can be diagnosed before a breakdown and diagnostic reports detailing every failure item. TIP #9 Don’t tie yourself down Make sure your organisation does not get locked into long contracts. Telematics technology is continuing evolving and prices of mobile data and hardware are falling all the time. Many companies will try and tie you in to 2 or 3 year agreements which could leave you paying over the odds for outdated equipment in the long haul. On the flip side suppliers must be able to adapt to a rapidly changing market place by integrating advances in vehicle, mapping and mobile technology in to their solution as soon as it becomes available. Involve everyone TIP #10 Once you’ve collected some data on your drivers’ performance, share relevant insights with employees on how they’re driving, and use it as the basis for personalised coaching and incentive programs. Putting a safety target in place will help them feel involved and invested in the company’s objectives, and you can use data to show how their actions are contributing to those goals. You could also try starting a competition among drivers with a reward for the safest driving. ISSUE 16 2019 / WWW.AFMA.NET.AU 7