Telematics is quickly becoming the norm for all kinds of fleets, according to a recent survey.

According to Shell’s Power of Data survey, heavy goods vehicle operators are the most prolific users of telematics with 82 per cent of respondents saying they use it. Light commercial fleets aren’t too far behind them (72 per cent, while 58 per cent of those with cars now incorporate telematics in their vehicles.

When asked why they had chosen to bring in telematics, improved fuel efficiency was the most common reason (63 per cent). This is just as well because separate research compiled using data from 10,000 vehicles found that fitting telematics improved fuel economy by 9.1 per cent as a result of fitting telematics.

Other widespread reasons for introducing telematics included improving driver safety and cutting costs (59 and 58 per cent respectively).

How telematics can make your fleet fun

Shell’s report goes on to suggest how organisations can tackle any anxieties or negativity from employees when installing telematics. It says that more fleets are adopting the ‘carrot’ approach rather than the ‘stick’ and taking the ‘gamification’ route: turning better driving into a game for end-users.

Fleet managers can use data captured from telematics to create a leaderboard based on fuel economy or another rankable factor.

“This not only allows them to compare their performance to their peers, but it drives behaviour improvements by offering prizes for the most efficient, mechanically sympathetic drivers,” reads Shell’s report.

“The company claims a 15-20 per cent reduction in fuel costs, while also cutting accident rates and vehicle maintenance bills.”

You can read the full Shell report at fleetworld.co.uk/shell-power-of-data-survey-how-attitudes-to-telematics-are-changing-fast/

Jez Strong, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “The benefits of telematics are well documented and for any organisation thinking about adding it to their fleet, this survey should be the tipping point for them to take the plunge.”

Your business can benefit from affordable telematics with no hidden start-up fees or long-term commitments. Find out how at www.tele-gence.com

Photo: 3alexd/iStock

 

Motorists in Scotland could soon be invited to submit dashcam footage to the police over the internet to help enforce driving offences.

The idea has been a success in Wales, with Operation Snap resulting in 38 prosecutions, 28 fixed penalties and 86 being told to attend retraining courses since 2016.

Dashcams are increasingly common on Scotland’s roads, with around a fifth of Scottish motorists using them. An AA survey revealed that dashcams are most prolific in north-east England where cameras are installed on just short of a quarter of motorists’ dashboards.

However, the primary reason people have a dashcam is for insurance purposes (60 per cent), with only around two per cent of UK drivers saying their main reason was to record evidence of bad driving.

When the Press & Journal asked Police Scotland if the Operation Snap idea would be adopted north of the border, a spokeswoman responded: “We are looking at various opportunities to allow dashcam footage to be provided to Police Scotland and used as evidence.”

In addition to footage shot in cars, police in Wales can also accept footage taken from helmet-mounted cameras worn by bikers.

The number of people injured on Scotland’s roads dropped by 1,514 in 2017, compared to the year before, with figures from Transport Scotland showing 9,391 casualties across the country including 146 fatalities.

Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin seemed supportive of the idea, telling the Press & Journal: “Road safety in the north-east is paramount, and we should make sure a zero-tolerance approach is taken on dangerous driving.

“Allowing drivers to submit footage from their dashcams, which could be used as evidence against offenders, could result in more prosecutions in criminal cases and make our roads safer.”

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, added: “Operation Snap has clearly worked and brought results, so there’s a solid case for introducing the idea in Scotland too.”

About Fuel Card Services – Scotland

Fuel Card Services – Scotland, a name for Scottish values

Fuel Card Services –  Scotland formally known as Dieselink, founded in 1998 by Bernard Brogan Ltd, has been keeping down the price of fuel for customers throughout Scotland and the UK since the 1920s.

Now part of DCC the international business services group, it continues to deliver outstanding value, service and quality from its headquarters in North Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Fleet managers in Scotland and the rest of the UK know that they can trust FCS to provide their business with the best possible fuel card. Find out more here.

A report illustrating the extent of the nation’s mobile phone addiction has raised concerns over road safety in the UK.

According to research published by communications watchdog Ofcom, smartphone owners cannot go 12 minutes without checking their phone, while almost two-thirds describe their mobile device as an essential part of their lives.

Being stuck at the lights or in slow moving traffic means many motorists could struggle to resist the temptation to check their phone, but road safety groups urge drivers to stay focused.

Devastating impact

Road safety charity Brake has expressed concerns about the report’s findings and the devastating impact UK’s mobile phone addiction could have on road safety.

“This ‘addiction’ can have deadly consequences if people can’t leave their phones alone whilst driving,” said Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake.

“A split-second distraction caused by a call, text or notification behind the wheel can be fatal.”

Getting worse

Figures from the Department for Transport show that in 2016, 32 people were killed and 105 seriously injured in crashes involving a driver being distracted by their mobile phone.

Mr Harris believes the problem is getting worse every year, adding: “Illegal mobile phone use behind the wheel is all too common and action needs to be taken to rid our roads of this dangerous menace.”

He says the government needs to invest in greater awareness, more enforcement and tougher punishment of people who illegally use their phone at the wheel to provide an effective deterrent.

Jez Strong, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “Fortunately, most drivers appreciate the fact that no call, text or social media update is worth risking anyone’s life for.”

Speeding past speed cameras and parking illegally are a surefire way to receive a fixed penalty notice. But there are many other lesser known ways motorists can be slapped with a hefty fine, and one motorist group has just listed five of them.

It’s all part of an effort from road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist to warn drivers that it’s not just exceeding speed limits and using a phone behind the wheel that can bring them to the attention of the authorities.

“All road users should brush up their Highway Code knowledge to ensure that they are not putting themselves at unnecessary risk of a penalty ticket,” advises GEM road safety officer Neil Worth.

“After all, there is a safety reason why our laws are there, and the more we all know about our driving environment and the rules in place to keep us safe, the less we are likely to fall foul of them.”

So what are these more obscure offenses that can result in a fixed penalty notice?

Driving too close past a cyclist

It is recommended that any driver overtaking a cyclist should leave a distance of 1.5 metres. Anyone seen passing a cyclist too closely faces the possibility of a £100 fixed penalty ticket and three points on their licence.

Parking by a pedestrian crossing

Unless it’s an emergency situation or your vehicle has suddenly broken down, no one is allowed to park on the zig-zag lines found at pedestrian crossings. Disobey and risk a £100 fine and three licence penalty points.

Attaching a non-compliant number plate

There are several key rules to registration plates. For instance, they must show your vehicle’s registration number correctly and they must be made from a reflective material. At the front, they have to be black on white and black on yellow at the rear. Strict rules apply to the fonts, styles and letter sizes too.

Fall short of any of these rules and say hi to a £100 non-endorsable ticket. The DVLA could even forbid you from using your reg plate altogether.

Driving with a defective tyre

The minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm across the all-round central three-quarters of the tyre. If just one tyre is below this, it could result in a £100 fine and three points. More than one faulty tyre could land you in court with the potential to be fined up to £2,500 and three points per tyre.

Items that may obstruct your view

Being able to see out of the front windscreen is a no-brainer, but if you don’t have a full view of the road and traffic ahead, you can be fined £200 with six points on your licence; so make sure your sat-nav and dashcam don’t get into the way.

Jez Strong, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “A lot of what goes into effective road safety is common sense, but fleet managers can ensure their drivers are on the right side of the law by introducing telematics to their company vehicles.”