Telematics increase driver’s safety by delivering real‐time on‐road driving data per driver and vehicle so that the fleet manager could analyse the unsafe drive and take the necessary action for coaching and training and/or, if necessary, disciplinary action. The data is being used by many fleets to create safety policies and driver (and fleet manager) expectations for the operation of safe fleets so that an important culture of road safety can be developed.
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How Does Telematics Highlight Risky Driver Behaviour?
Fleet managers now can see more than ever before about their drivers’ behaviour behind the wheel thanks to telematics data. If a ‘bad habit’ pattern emerges, such as throwing themselves into corners, hard braking, speeding, tailgating, etc, then action can be taken.
In addition, this telematics data used to help assess their performance can then be shared with the driver to show where he has been, allowing for evidence-based criticism and inarguable defence. The fleet operator has an obligation of care to maintain the highest standards of driver safety, and this is also in the interest of the driver.
How Do These Kinds of Insight Feed Into Driver Behaviour to Improve Safety?
In this way, the data collected by telematics systems like those provided by radius.com could enable fleet managers to consider different ways of responding to any driver safety problems identified: where individual drivers appear to engage in unsafe behaviour on the road, for example, their managers can devise a training programme that meets the individual’s requirements and helps him or her to overcome specific difficulties.
Furthermore, telematics data allows them to look at a very similar question, but on the aggregate level – that is, for the whole of the driving workforce. If you see several drivers performing the same kinds of behaviour in the same dangerous way when driving, it is very likely that this is an indicator for more general weaknesses in training drivers. Here, the information available through telematics can be fed back to fleet operators, influencing their training arrangements, and where necessary this can be adapted accordingly.
What Effect do Telematics Have on Driver Behaviour? Don’t Drivers Resent Their Use?
Obviously, drivers will tend to drive more safely when they know their performance will be measured using hard data. Observation has a deterrent effect. The telematics sector is already saturated with fleet telematics technology, which is now part of the mainstream and widely accepted, so drivers are used to it. Nevertheless, when implementing a telematics solution for the first time, drivers should be informed and consulted, so they will get used to the idea without trouble.
Can Competition Between Drivers Be Used to Improve Driver Safety?
Indeed it can, and telematics can help with this also. Driving league tables can be generated from the data that telematics systems collect, with rewards, and some might say adulation, for the most competent drivers and some level of reward for those who improve their achievement over a fairly short period of time . It should motivate drivers to become conscious of driving safely. This motivation should be well worth the effort and, above all, it should be done in good spirit!
What Should Fleet Managers Consider When Incorporating Telematics Insights Into Written Driver Safety Policies?
As written policies, they serve to clarify exactly what is expected of drivers, and make it known to all what the standards are. As we saw above, the data related to us by the telematics units will indicate areas where driver safety policy needs to be applied. But drivers should have a clear idea of how this data is going to be used, and when. They need to be equally well-informed of the actions that could result from safety failures. Transparency and clarity are both critical. With transparent and clear-cut criteria, you shouldn’t have any problem in netting acceptance from drivers for written safety policies.
Final Thoughts
Telematics solutions offer many benefits to fleets, but one of the most important to an expanding and competitive job market for truck drivers is their ability to increase driver safety. Features like route planning, driver scorecard reporting, vehicle maintenance reporting and real-time coaching among other things let trucking companies offer their drivers safe and comfortable environments to work in. Now you can make your fleet as efficient as possible and guarantee the roadway for all travellers is as safe as possible.
