The economic malaise is acting as a forced pilot for cost control. But as fleet managers focus on making savings to protect their balance sheets, there is a danger of risk management falling down priority lists.

It is important to remember, however, that these two business objectives can work hand-in-hand. Steps to reduce road risk will invariably translate to lower costs.

Behind the wheel

Driving practices that compromise the safety of mobile workers, such as speeding, harsh braking, cornering and distracted driving, can prove costly. 

Poor driving styles mean an increased risk of accidents, greater wear and tear and bigger SMR (service, maintenance and repair) bills. Moreover, fast and inconsistent speeds result in lower mpg and, for electric cars, a higher energy consumption.

Access to driver behaviour intelligence, via software platforms such as Webfleet, enable fleet managers to take the pulse of fleet standards on the road, set performance benchmarks and to establish targets for improvement. Drivers can also be empowered to improve with real-time performance feedback, via in-vehicle navigation devices. 

Keeping car fleets moving

Every minute a car is off the road, it is costing a company money.

Fleet management solutions, such as Webfleet, can help keep drivers safe and fleets moving by offering complete end-to-end visibility, with insights that help make critical maintenance predictive and preventive.

Vehicle engine fault codes, for example, can be relayed to fleet managers, ensuring maintenance is carried out as soon as problems develop, helping prevent more serious mechanical issues.  And where systems are integrated with leasing providers’ software platforms, this process can happen automatically, taking the burden off both the manager and vehicle driver. 

Enriching insights

Integrated camera systems expand on this fleet visibility, providing even greater opportunities to improve driving standards.

Webfleet Video, for example, employs the latest in connected dashcam technology, with machine vision and artificial intelligence (AI) raising the bar in tackling risky driving behaviour.

Analysis of images and video data enables the CAM 50 to “see” and recognise risky driving behaviours, such as distraction, fatigue and mobile phone usage. This gives managers a better understanding of the reasons behind driving incidents. Driving training programmes can consequently be developed that are more tailored, and reward initiatives for safe driving can be more accurately implemented.

The technology also provides the option to warn drivers of risky behaviours by emitting an instantaneous alert that empowers them to self-correct in real time.

By taking such data-driven steps to protect their fleets, businesses are better placed to keep a lid on costs and to navigate the challenging economic landscape.

Call 0208 822 3605 or visit www.webfleet.com