A lot has been written about the benefits of telematics for businesses and company owners, but vehicle tracking also offers valuable support to the people who drive a company’s trucks, vans or any other vehicles. Far from being a surveillance system implemented to punish employees, here are four ways that vehicle tracking can help drivers improve their skills, protect them from false claims and keep them safe out on the roads.
Key Benefits of Vehicle Tracking Include Enhanced Personal Safety
Businesses that employ telematics send a message that they, as a company, take safety seriously, and this can only benefit the driver. Speed, braking and acceleration are all monitored to help create a fleet with the safest drivers behind the wheels. In the event of an accident, GPS tracking can even ensure that help arrives quickly.
And with the fleet management tools available in most vehicle tracking systems, the vehicles themselves are safer to drive, as driving styles are monitored and reminders are set for maintenance and inspection deadlines, ensuring vehicles stay in good condition. It’s in everyone’s interest, especially a driver’s, that a company’s vehicles are safe and up to date on routine repairs.
Responsible Actions and Validated Hours
When a problem that’s centered around timesheets, invoices or out of hours driving arises, vehicle tracking data can resolve the discrepancy before it becomes a major issue. Daily timesheets can verify when a driver arrived at a customer’s site and when they departed, settling any invoicing or pay disputes.
If vehicles aren’t meant to be used during certain hours, trip reports can prove that the driver followed the rules. To ensure vehicles don’t enter or leave particular areas, geofenced locations can be set up to notify managers of any unexpected journeys in real-time, meaning drivers are otherwise uninterrupted.
Protection from False Claims
Another way that drivers can benefit from vehicle tracking is when claims or lawsuits coming from outside the company occur. Accidents happen, but with telematics, there is an unbiased source of information on what actually transpired.
If a report arises that alleges a driver was speeding or braking harshly or claims that they were at fault, telematics can protect them from being falsely accused. It can be proven what speed they were travelling at, or in some extreme cases, that they weren’t in the area at all.
Driving Style Coaching
The data collected by a telematics system is a rich source of feedback for a driver on their personal driving performance. Areas where a driver can improve their skills are flagged up and can be brought to their attention. Many companies choose to reward their best or most improved drivers for the savings that the company can make, all based on information gathered by telematics.
Some companies even hold monthly contests, to see which drivers have the best or most improved driving scores.
For more information on vehicle tracking, contact TT-Matics on 01245 231 393 or contact us today via this website.
