Similar to Personal Vehicle Telematics, commercial vehicle telematics provides insights on the vehicles speed, acceleration, hard breaking, and location/route. Depending on which telematics program is deployed other metrics may also be available, such as swerving, or frequent lane changing.
Improve Safe Driving Habits
Equipped with insights’ from each driver, employers can make customized coaching and training programs aimed at improving safe driving habits within their fleet and monitor the success of their efforts.
This information can also be used to get bad drivers off your fleet – hopefully before they cause an accident. However, commercial vehicle telematics should not be used in place of proper hiring practices including an MVR and background check. Not hiring bad drivers is still a large step in avoiding claims and reducing accident.
Arm Yourself With Data
Collected data can be used in defense of an at-fault accident claim by providing evidence of speed and other information leading up to the accident.
However, as with most technology this can be a double-edged sword. If a court discovers a company had access to telematics data and took no action to address bad driving habits, they may find themselves facing negligence – or worse- charges.
Determine The Best Implementation
Before beginning a commercial vehicle telematics program, it is important to access whether the data will be analyzed internally, or by a third party. Proper implantation can be time consuming. It is recommended that if a program will be monitored internally that it be begun slowly and bulked up overtime. Select one metric to monitor, such as speed, and add other metrics as you become more comfortable with the program.
Research Money Saving Opportunities
Some insurance underwriters understand the value a commercial vehicle telematics program brings to a company. Working with your independent insurance agent allows you to find Insurance Carriers that offer discounts or other incentives for implementing a successful telematics program.
Contact your independent agent to discuss your plans for implementing a commercial vehicle telematics program with your commercial fleet.
