Can telematics change poor driving behavior?

What is “Telematics” and why is it so important for us?

It is essentially the branch of information technology which deals with the long-distance transmission of computerized information. It has been available to fleets for almost a decade. Telematics was initially used to help keep tabs on vehicular routes. However, overtime, it has facilitated an in-depth analysis of driver behavior, and enabled us to develop procedures to make them efficient and safer. Gaining insight in behaviors can help streamline the time and effort spent trying to correct risky driving behaviors.

Before using Telematics in Fleet Management, drivers enjoyed the liberty of acting independently. This applied to job routing, breaks and lunches. When these aspects were going unmonitored, wasting time and efficiency were concerns of the highest priority to the companies in question.

Can it really be used in implementing a real change in poor driving behavior? Let’s analyze.

Telematics can tell indicate your driver’s real time location, the arrival time at each stop, exact departure time, etc. In fact, fleet managers can even supervise whether or not the driver is wearing his seatbelt or travelling alongside an authorized personnel/passenger.

Develop a baseline

Overlooking this step is a common mistake when implementing new processes and must be addressed first. Establish a baseline for fleet driver performance to measure progress overtime.

Concentrated allocation of resources

Instead of scattering our focus across diverse indicators, we must focus on high-risk drivers first. These are the primary contributors of fleet accidents and bad behaviors. Focusing on them in the initial stage will maximize impact of your implemented changes.

Drivers must be consistently reassessed and their bad behaviors penalized.

Identification of poor driving behaviors

Save time by identifying all unacceptable behaviors through education and training. The initial stages will not reflect significant changes, but over time, a marginal decrease in such behaviors will be observed.

TPL Trakker’s in-house Research and Development team works diligently on market research for this very purpose. The goal remains to better ourselves for an innovative tomorrow.

This can be seen as streamlining processes to enable greater change in behavior with the highest levels of efficiency.

We believe that these behavioral changes, caused by telematics technology, will translate directly in lower repair costs, fewer windshield replacements, etc.

TPL Trakker harnesses this technology to send alerts for:

• Harsh acceleration
• Harsh cornering
• Harsh braking
• Fuel pilferage
• Idle driver
• Seatbelt

Make drivers better

With the telematics technology available to us today, feedback is instantaneous. Right after the undesirable driving event occurs, the driver will clearly be made aware that his actions were outside the realm of acceptable practices, and he can amend his behavior promptly. Coaching the drivers to modify their behavior at the instant when it occurs has proved to be highly effective as opposed to being instructed to do so at a later time.

Bottom line

To successfully influence driver behavior, a combination of monitoring, feedback, and driver morale building needs to be implemented. Any of the aforementioned elements on their own will not suffice to bring a real change. It is equally important to coach the drivers and aid them to improve as per company goals.