How Fleet Managers Can Leverage Telematics for Driver Feedback and Coaching
Commercial vehicle telematics systems can provide fleet managers valuable data to help improve operational efficiencies and fleet safety. Operationally, the data can help with vehicle tracking, better communication with drivers on the road, navigational support, route and workflow optimization, and fuel and customer service benefits.
Telematics can also capture data about driving behaviors such as speeding, braking, abrupt lane changes and idling. Using this data as a part of an ongoing safe-driving feedback and coaching program can help reduce the risk of accidents and help keep your drivers, customers and the public safe.
Telematics helps keep your fleet and other drivers safe on the road
Northland Risk Control Safety Specialist Anthony Slamar said many trucking companies are using telematics to help with fleet optimization, compliance, predictive maintenance and safety.
“We’ve seen organizations say that using telematics data effectively has helped them improve their safety performance. We’ve also seen the impact of how much they are learning from the data. Telematics can help trucking companies look at drivers who are having issues and determine the best way to coach them,” Slamar said.
Driver buy-in for your telematics system and a safe-driving feedback program is important. Begin by having an open discussion:
Explain what operational data the telematics system collects and its operational benefits.
Fleet managers can use commercial vehicle telematics to help improve the safe operation of motor vehicle fleets. Before telematics, fleet drivers were solo employees on the road, with a limited amount of information available for coaching. With telematics, fleet managers can gather key information to help coach drivers. By collecting a telematics system’s operational data, fleet managers gain insights to help create training programs that can lead to improvements in driving safety and behavior.
Explain your telematics system’s role in helping to reinforce driving safety through data collection.
Reassure drivers that the use of telematics is intended to help enhance safety. These systems help provide insightful data on driving behaviors, identify risky driving habits and help drivers to reduce the risk of accidents. Fleet managers can use telematics data to help develop personalized coaching for drivers.
Discuss your safe-driving feedback program.
It is important that your drivers understand that your safe-driving feedback program is focused on helping to improve safety and employee satisfaction, as well as improve fleet efficiency. To do this, effective communication with your drivers is key. Let drivers know that the program will acknowledge safe driving and identify opportunities for safe driving improvement. It is intended to reinforce and encourage safe driving behaviors.
It’s also important to let drivers know that you will be providing and seeking feedback. Make sure to explain how often you will do this, to set and manage their expectations. Take a collaborative approach to these feedback sessions. They are a two-way street. Real-life circumstances cannot be explained by the data alone. For instance, hard braking may not necessarily be a sign of speeding. Instead, it may be an action by your driver to avoid a potential accident when another driver cut in front of them.
Driving behavior data may also show that your driver was driving safely. Your drivers will appreciate that perspective.
Review your safe-driving policies, rules of the road and safe-driving expectations.
Your feedback and coaching session is an opportunity to review your company’s safe-driving policies, rules of the road and safe-driving expectations.
“It’s important to let drivers know that the telematics is one way the company is trying to improve fleet safety. It’s also important to give drivers positive reinforcement and let them know how they’re doing,” Slamar said. “A little encouragement can go a long way.”
Northland knows the nuts and bolts of the transportation industry. Learn more about our commercial truck insurance to help your fleet stay safe on the road. Contact a Northland agent.
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