Why video telematics the next step in tackling driver distraction
Every 30 seconds, somewhere in the world, a life is taken by a road crash related incident. Road Safety Week, a global event that encourages people around the world to drive more safely, took place in New Zealand from the 8th of May to the 14th through the help of the NZTA and Brake. The event coincided with the 4th UN Global Road Safety Week and the theme was Save lives #SlowDown, in line with the UN theme.
This year, the Road Safety initiative was focussed on speeding, New Zealand’s single biggest road safety issue, according to the NZTA. For business owners or managers with a mobile workforce, as well as the fleet managers, dispatchers and drivers, better monitoring and management of speeding is an essential part of improving safety in the workplace and making sure that everyone gets home safe to their families. GPS vehicle tracking technology is a powerful way of improving driver behaviour, and supporting a change in culture across the company toward a safer driving culture. Here are a few common questions for business owners and fleet managers on how Teletrac Navman’s vehicle tracking system (DIRECTOR) can contribute to safer driving:
How can I help my drivers understand their unsafe habits?
Often, drivers are hesitant in admitting they need coaching. DIRECTOR gives both managers and drivers an objective look at unsafe incidents with the Event Viewer feature. This safety tool replays vehicle conduct on DIRECTOR’s map, showing both speed and tilt for speeding, cornering, braking and acceleration. The Event Viewer gives a real idea of how drivers are handling their vehicles on a daily basis.
How can I create a driver safety training program?
Driver Scorecards and the Event Viewer together can help managers set goals for drivers and hold them accountable. By using performance data to measure incidents of unsafe driving, it’s easy for managers to properly train their staff to drive safer. By seeing their performance broken down into numbers, drivers can clearly see what they need to do to improve. Managers can build individual training plans for drivers that need help and incentivise good drivers through reward programs for positive performance.
How can my fleet receive fewer violations and fines?
Most traffic violations are easily preventable. DIRECTOR records each driver’s unsafe driving incidents, including speeding, harsh acceleration, harsh braking and cornering. Performance data is compiled and ranked in Driver Scorecards, which helps identify the drivers exhibiting the most problematic trends. Managers can use this information to address unsafe habits on an individual basis. Through one-to-one coaching sessions with drivers, behaviour behind the wheel improves and businesses can see a decrease in fines.
At the end of the day, what matters is that workers get home safely. The driver behaviour analysis built into DIRECTOR allows managers to identify potential risks in driver behaviour and take action to manage these before dangerous situations occur. This solution provides the information managers need to support culture change in an organisation towards safer driving behaviour. Let’s be safer out there, together.
To learn more about driver safety download our free eBook on Health & Safety today.