17/10/2018

Connected Power: Four telematics tip to help your business stay more compliant

Keeping on top of compliance in an industry where the goal posts are regularly moving can be tricky. However, for companies not utilising integrated telematics, compliance can become a time-consuming job that requires a variety of reporting tools, a lot of manual groundwork and fact-finding.

Around 13% of UK transport operators spend between 1 and 3 hours downloading driver working hours compliance data, which would otherwise be available on demand with telematics. Without an integrated telematics solution in place, compliance data is likely to be held with different departments and therefore is more likely to be siloed. It is vital that this information is shared between departments preventing costly mistakes from being made.

Not to mention the adverse effect a disconnected business has on-field operatives, where fines for dangerous driving have increased by 25% in two years. Integrated telematics not only helps keep drivers safer, but can also help to make their jobs easier, help to reduce stress which could lead to them achieving a healthier work/life balance, and could lead to fewer errors or challenges in the field.

To illustrate the problems that come with integration, we created the idea of ‘Telematics Islands’. For this, you have to imagine a singular island in an ocean with an oil rig (the telematics solution) generating vast quantities of oil (driver data) that just end up in a store on telematics island.

In the ocean surrounding telematics island are other islands (departments) who can’t take advantage of the data as there is no connection. Integrated telematics are like pipelines connecting the rig to the islands. Compliance is arguably the most important of these.

But even if you have an integrated telematics solution in place, what can compliance managers do with the information they receive? How can telematics data ensure that your business is as compliant as it can be?

1. MONITOR DRIVER BEHAVIOUR

In the first instance, an integrated telematics solution helps compliance managers to measure and monitor driver behaviour whilst on the job. It might at first meet with some resistance, but by emphasising that a compliance manager’s job is to help driver safety and not fulfil the role of ‘Big Brother’, drivers will most likely eventually see the benefits of increased visibility.

Monitoring behaviour means that you can take proactive steps to ensure that drivers perform safely. The ROSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) advises:

“Health and safety law applies to on-the-road work activities and the risks should be effectively managed within a health and safety system.”

And when you consider that, according to the UK Department of Transport, there were just under 180,000 road accidents in 2016 which resulted in either injury or death, making sure that your drivers are behaving as safely as possible is crucial.

By keeping on top of speeding, location and other variables such as seatbelt use, compliance managers can significantly help to reduce risk to their staff and to members of the wider public.

2. IDENTIFY DRIVERS WHO NEED TRAINING

By measuring and monitoring driver behaviour, compliance managers can identify drivers who need to make improvements. In some instances, companies which do not utilise telematics impose arbitrary training across the board as a ‘box ticking’ exercise. This approach fails to cater to the specific strengths and weaknesses of each particular driver.

With telematics, each individual driver can be upskilled in specific areas which have been identified as requiring improvement. This helps to reduce risk and helping to save costs across the business.

Training can also be given regarding specific legislation which drivers may need to be made aware of, such as the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, which places ultimate responsibility for any dangerous driving in the field on the shoulders of the business. This awareness not only helps to keep the business safe, but also helps to ensure that drivers take extra care when interacting with the public, and helps to keep themselves safe when they are on the road.*

3. SIMPLIFY RISK ASSESSMENTS & VEHICLE INSPECTIONS WITH TELEMATICS

Carrying out regular vehicle inspections can be one of the most time-consuming aspects of managing a fleet, but it’s also one of the most important.

Telematics can help to identify vehicular problems as they occur and help compliance managers to communicate with staff in the field to inform and advise on how best to deal with any outstanding issues. A connected solution will provide an instant, digitally available audit trail of all checks rather than relying on drivers to fill out and hand in paper sheets.

Telematics can help build driver profiles based on driving performance. Each individual can be scored based on several different risk variables, including mileage, average speed, number of incidents and training history.

The DVLA recommends regularly assessing driver health, eyesight, and any medication which might impair driving performance. Telematics can offer a sound way of logging and recording this information and taking all this information into account whenever jobs are being allocated to drivers.

4. REDUCE THE NEED FOR COMMUNICATION

Mobile phone use while driving was first made illegal back in December 2003 and has been a significant priority in road safety enforcement ever since. The use of mobile devices while operating a vehicle is not only illegal, but also incredibly dangerous, and clearly should not be practised by anyone.

One of the ancillary benefits of telematics driving terminals is that they eliminate the need for mobile use in a vehicle by allowing managers to send orders directly to the vehicle via the Telematics terminal.

These devices can also allow compliance managers to deploy behavioural targets to individual drivers, receiving information against these targets, and sign-off on jobs via photo sharing or signature capture. Again, providing a reliable audit trail.

This can also benefit your customers by allowing you to advise them about driver location and ETAs. Customers can also communicate directly with the driver should they get lost or need assistance finding a particular property.

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS

When it is taken into consideration that, according to statistics obtained by TomTom, more than half (54%) of at-work drivers admit to speeding on 60 mph roads, it is clear that a solution is needed to help educate drivers and make them aware of the importance of compliant behaviour.

This does not have to be implemented in the way of an ‘enforcer’ or a ‘police officer’, but rather, should be approached collaboratively; taking driver concerns into account and making any transition to a telematics solution as comfortable as possible.

Chairman of ACFO, John Pryor talking to Fleet News says:

“The pace of change we are witnessing across the fleet industry is unprecedented in my almost 30 years as fleet manager”

Most compliance professionals view their role in terms of enabling better decisions, providing a competitive edge, championing values and maintaining business etiquette. Despite the changes happening within the fleet industry with telematics, this is achievable, and compliance professionals can finally play their part in shaping the overall success of the company.

To discover more on how a connected telematics solution can benefit your business departments please visit telematics islands.

https://telematics.tomtom.com/en_gb/webfleet/landingpages/missed-opportunities-of-disconnected-telematics/

*LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this TomTom blog is for informational purposes only and expresses our view on the subject matter. It should not be considered legal advice on the subject matter. Furthermore, the information contained in this blog may not reflect the most current legal developments. You should not act upon this information without seeking legal advice. The article also does not contain an exhaustive list of all legal obligations that you have to comply with. Again, we recommend you seek legal expertise where necessary.

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