Category: Safety

A Major Concern For Fleet Managers: Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the biggest problems fleet managers have to deal with. According to the Official US Government Website For Distracted Driving, distracted driving has become a dangerous epidemic. Each year, there are over 3,000 people killed in crashes caused by distracted driving. A driving distraction is any activity that takes the driver’s mind and attention off of the road or reduces the visual connection with the road, traffic and surrounding environment.

For fleet managers, drivers getting distracted while driving can turn into huge financial losses due to injuries and damages to the vehicles. In addition, it can cause reduced productivity when drivers are in an accident caused by distracted driving.

Visual distractions occur when the driver takes his eyes off the road. When a driver’s thinking process about driving is interrupted, it is known as a cognitive distraction. While visual distractions are more obvious, cognitive distractions are often less recognized. For example, although the driver many only be visually distracted for a couple of seconds when dialing a phone number, he is cognitively distracted for the entire length of a telephone call.

Sometimes the fleet managers are actually to blame. They could be assigning tasks for the driver to completed en route to job sites such as calling the office or calling a customer prior to arriving. Furthermore, a fleet manager may not provide their drivers with adequate training. Not all fleet managers are aware of some of the really great training programs available that will teach their drivers the skills they need to drive safe and efficiently. All drivers should receive basic skills driver training regardless of their experience level when they join your organization.

Types Of Distractions

When fleet managers are creating driving policies, promoting compliance and enforcing policies, it is critical they first identify the current distraction trends and their potential impact on their drivers.

Fleet managers must be aware of distracted driving behaviors such as:

– Visual and cognitive distractions

– Talking on the telephone (using both hands-free and handheld devices)

– Data entry (texting, dialing, GPS data entry, etc.)

– In-vehicle activities (drinking, eating, smoking, grooming, reaching for items, etc.)

– Roadside diversions (disabled vehicles, billboards, advertisements on vehicles, rubbernecking, etc.)

– Drowsiness

Distractions Caused By Mobile Devices

While there are many types of distractions drivers face, talking on a cell phones, using other mobile devices and texting while driving are a primary concerns for fleet managers. In fact, many studies uncovered that talking on a cell phone while driving (hands-free or handheld), increases the risk of accidents similar to the risk of accidents with drivers that have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08. Fleet managers should focus on eliminating the use of these mobile devices while the vehicle is in motion or stopped briefly at traffic lights, stopped signs or in traffic. Drivers should be trained to pull over on the side of the road or into a parking lot if they need to use a mobile device.

Fleet managers should strongly consider implementing a policy banning the use of hands-free and handheld cell phones while the vehicle is in motion. Many companies are beginning to adopt no cell phone usage policies. Although there will be an adjustment period, companies have not reported any loss in productivity. In fact, 9% of fleet managers actually reported an increase in productivity after implementing this type of policy. All drivers will adapt. Before drivers leave their location, they will begin to stop and think if they have made all calls that need to be addressed right away.

For long-term results, the entire organization needs to be held accountable including the business owner and managers. To begin, fleet managers need to make all drivers understand that the policy has no exceptions. It is important that drivers are not just told “do not text or talk on the phone,” they must be told why the policy is so important and solutions must be provided. For example, make a suggestion that drivers keep their phone on silent while they are driving so they are not tempted to answer the call if it rings.

Strict policies need to be developed with clear consequences if a driver uses the phone while in the vehicle is in motion. Policy follow-through is extremely important. If fleet vehicles have an event data recorder installed for recording activities leading to a crash, make sure that the drivers are aware that the recorder will record their mobile device usage as well.

More and more companies are adopting distracted driving policies and no cell phone usage policies. However, a policy is not effective without having a well-developed strategy to back it up. Fleet managers need to step up the policy, allocate the budget and focus to ensure full compliance. Whether it is implementing compliance technology or employing consequences, drivers need to know your business takes distracted driving issues very seriously.

Improve Driver Safety with Fleet Technology

Safety should not be estimated or second guessed. Fleet managers cannot afford to skimp on training for their drivers. To improve driver safety, the first step is to make sure the entire business adopts a culture of safety. If the company owners and managers do not participate and support safe practices, the fleet safety improvements cannot be accomplished. Fleet managers are now turning to technology to help guarantee their drivers perform their jobs securely and safely.

Ongoing Safety Training

Fleet managers need to foster an environment of safety and a culture of personal responsibility promoted for all employees. This will ensure that the drivers are all performing safely and to the best of their abilities. Upon hiring, all drivers should participate in a training orientation program including requirements for driver fitness, the proper way to perform vehicle inspections, driver qualifications, driver wellness and company rules.

Using constantly evolving technology, drivers should comply with an ongoing safety regimen. Telematics can be used to closely monitor drivers’ behaviors on the road such as speeding, hard acceleration, hard breaking, and utilization of seat belts. There are limitless amounts of measurements GPS fleet tracking technology can be analyzed. Each company should choose the core behaviors that impact the safety of their drivers the most.

In order to continuously improve driver safety, keep the number of driver performance indicators to a manageable amount. If a driver is found to exhibit a red flag behavior, the driver should be required to complete additional driver training for that behavior. Red flag behaviors can include collision, speeding, usage of seat belts, or aggressive driving. The telematics measurements allow fleet managers to customize the driver training to the driver’s specific unsafe driving practices. Focusing on the specific behavior allows fleet managers to help improve driver safety when there is an opportunity for improvement.

Adding ongoing driver training does not have to be time consuming or complicated. The training can actually be done on a mobile device such as a tablet or in the office.

Use The Technology To Create Friendly Competition

By posting the telematics measurements in an area where all the drivers can see, the drivers will try to improve their own safety habits as a form of friendly competition. Recognizing the drivers with the lowest percentage of unsafe driving practices is also helpful in the promotion of safe driving. The driver scorecards should be posted for all levels of the company including the business owner, fleet managers, other management and all of the drivers. This will show that the entire organization holds safe driving practices to the highest standard.

Fleet Management Technology Is Being Used By Businesses To Improve Road Safety

Businesses with fleet operations must be proactive in improving road safety. They have an obligation to protect the drivers whom they employ and other drivers on the roadways. That is why many businesses are turning to new technology to help the improve road safety. Many business owners and fleet managers are working hard to cultivate a workplace culture that promotes safe driving practices. While businesses are striving to stay competitive in these hard economic times, many are finding it equally as important to stay dedicated to supporting their community and encouraging their employees to improve their driving practices.

Reducing Speed

Driving at an increased speed increases the likelihood of a crash and its consequences. If a driver gets into an accident driving 35 miles per hour, it is twice as likely that someone will be killed in that crash than if the driver was only going 30 miles per hour.

There are many ways to reduce vehicle speeds including stricter speed enforcement, road design and legislation. Businesses with fleet operations are using their GPS based fleet management system’s automatic notifications and management reports to reduce speed violations while drivers are on the job. If a driver’s speed goes over a set threshold, an alert will automatically be sent to the fleet manager’s email or be posted in the web-based software’s dashboard. In addition, custom management reports can be created to inform the fleet manager of the drivers speed violations and other dangerous driving violations.

Wearing Seat Belts

The seatbelt is, perhaps, the best safety device that was ever developed for the automobile. Wearing this simple strap can reduce the risk of a car crash related death by up to 60%. If all drivers drive according to the posted speed limits and wear their seat belts, each year approximately 12,000 lives could be saved and 180,000 injuries could be prevented in the United States. While seat belt laws have increased the use of seat belts, some drivers still choose not to wear it. This does not have to be the case when a driver is on the job. Fleet managers can use their GPS fleet management system software to receive alerts and management reports informing them of whether or not the drivers and/or their passengers are wearing their seat belt.

Fleet Tracking Devices Eliminate Aggressive Driving and Bad Driving Habits

Aggressive driving is one of the four main focuses of Road Safety Week. GoFleet’s fleet tracking devices can help you eliminate the aggressive driving habits of your drivers.

What exactly is Aggressive Driving?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Act (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as occurring when an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger property or other persons. This includes, but is not limited to, tailgating, speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights or stop signs and preventing others from passing.

When applying g-forces to different driving maneuvers such as harsh accelerating, harsh cornering or harsh braking, what constitutes aggressive movement?

• A force of ½ G in a passenger car when applying the brakes would equal enough to throw a driver towards the steering wheel and any vehicle load would shift to the front. Loose obstacles on the seat would likely be thrown to the floor.
• Likewise, harsh acceleration producing a ½ G force in a passenger car would cause the driver to be thrown back in their seat.

Some statistics:

• According to Automotive Fleet’s 2013 Accident Management Survey, there is an average of 21% of fleet vehicles involved in some form of crash each year
• In 56% of fatal crashes between 2003 & 2007 aggressive driving actions were reported, with excessive speeding being the number one factor, as sited by the NHTSA.
• NHTSA also states nearly 1000 deaths a month are associated with speeding
• Exceeding the posted road speed limit or driving too fast for conditions is a factor in nearly 1/3 of all fatal crashes according to Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

Most people don’t think they are a risky drivers. In a surprising 2008 survey by the AAA Foundation’s Traffic Safety Culture Index, 78% of respondents rated aggressive drivers as a serious or extremely serious traffic problem. Most of the same people then reported driving in ways that could not be considered aggressive.

Three out of four drivers reported they believe they are more careful than other drivers. What’s the point? It is crucial that all drivers, both of personal and/or commercial vehicles assess their own driving habits.

For businesses operating a fleet of vehicles, this is often hard to evaluate. One way of doing this is to be able to provide valuable feedback to drivers as they are performing the various driving maneuvers necessary throughout the day. This empowers them to change their driving habits before any management even has to get involved. Our fleet tracking devices offer instant feedback for different aggressive driving instances.

Studies show that instant feedback in any area is the most effective way of changing human behavior. Driver feedback paired with the ability of management to “see” how their vehicles are being driven provides a very effective way for companies to help ensure their drivers are the safest on the road.

For more information on our fleet tracking devices and driver safety feedback check out: Audible Alerts Reduce Risk or contact a Fleet Consultant.

GPS Tracking Devices Transforming the Way You Think About Safety

In honour of National Safety Week in Canada, May 13th-19th, we wanted to share some valuable safety information about our GPS tracking devices. We are an engineering firm, not simply a GPS fleet tracking company and our devices offer much more than tracking.

Risk & Safety Report and Driver Ratings
With the next-generation safety technology in our GPS vehicle tracking devices, you can gain insight into your driver’s on-road behaviour with our safety management reports. Safety and risk scores are assigned to individual drivers based on different key indicators: seat belt usage, speeding, sharp turns, harsh braking, over acceleration and after-hours vehicle use. GoFleet can help you realize your potential to enhance your driver’s safety with real-time safety and risk reporting.

In-Vehicle Driver Coaching
GoFleet wants to make it as easy as possible for your drivers to immediately improve their on-road driving behaviour; our in-vehicle audible alerts notify drivers of potentially risky or unsafe driving. Once the risky/unsafe behaviour has been corrected (eg. reducing speed) the alerts will stop beeping. GoFleet wants to help you develop a fleet-wide safety program that really works.

Ensuring Seatbelt Usage
Along with our long list of advanced safety features, our GPS tracking devices make it possible to ensure your drivers are always wearing their seat belts. An automatic seat belt detection feature reminds drivers to put their seat belt on when the car is in motion. This feature will not only help protect your drivers and reduce the potential for driver injuries it also ensures compliance with the law.

Posted Road Speed vs. Actual Speed
Our GPS tracking devices allow you to compare your drivers speed with the posted road speed for highway driving, local city driving or within specific zones (eg. school zone). On top of knowing driver behaviour, you can observe changes in driving styles depending on the environment the driver is in, such as work or customer zones.

GoFleet wants to work with you to help ensure the safety of your drivers. To learn more about how our GPS tracking devices increase safety and the many other benefits contact us.

May 13th-19th 2014 marks National Road Safety Week in Canada, a campaign aimed at making Canada’s roads the safest in the world. This campaign is designed to remind Canadians just how important it is to drive safely, obey all driving laws and ultimately keep yourself and others on the road safe. It focuses on behaviours that put drivers, passengers and others on the road at most risk, this includes: seat belt use, impaired driving, aggressive and distracted driving.

It is important to always take precautions when you are driving, your driving not only can effect you but also those around you whether that be a cyclist, pedestrian, motorcyclist or another driver. Always be aware of everything around you to ensure the safety of yourself and others.

If you are distracted by answering your cell phone it becomes harder to react appropriately and avoid a potential crash. It is crucial to limit your distractions behind the wheel to ensure the safety of yourself and others on the road. By taking your eyes off the road, even for a second you are drastically increasing the chances of being in a collision. Studies have shown that a driver using a cell phone is more likely to be involved in a collision than a driver who is focused on the road.

In 2011, 31% of collisions resulting in driver/passenger fatalities were people not wearing a seat belt. That means 31% of fatal collisions in 2011 could have potentially been avoided if those individuals simply put on their seat belts. Seat belts save lives, always remember to buckle up.

Here are a few road safety tips from GoFleet:

• Drive according to the posted road speed limits, do not speed
• Avoid unnecessary distractions and drive defensively
• Yield to vulnerable road users even if they do not have the right-of-way
• Turn your phone off/on silent so you are not tempted to answer it or read a text message
• Watch out for drivers who are not paying attention
• Only reverse when there are no other options
• Keep both hands on the wheel
• Wear a seatbelt at all times
• Keep a safe distance from the car in front of you
• Be aware of pedestrians, cyclists, children, animals and motorcyclists

GoFleet works with companies to improve bad driving habits and overall increase road safety. Our advanced systems not only offer real-time GPS tracking, they also offer real-time in cabin audible alerts. Our devices will beep warning drivers immediately of a number of infractions such as not wearing a seat belt, speeding, and idling. Our devices also record high quality information about your drivers like speeding (their speed versus posted speed), harsh braking and harsh cornering allowing fleet mangers or company owners to then analyze the data and work with their drivers to improve safety.

Canadian National Road Safety Week is sponsored by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and Transport Canada and is a part of Canada’s Road Safety Strategy 2015, which has a goal of making Canada’s roads the safest roads in the world by 2015.

Drivers can expect stronger law enforcement during Safety Week, drive safely and make sure to obey all traffic laws.

For more information on how GoFleet can help you run a safer & more efficient fleet, or for more information about GPS fleet tracking in general, contact us.