As an employer, it’s not only important to ensure the safety of all employees on the road, but to prevent any unnecessary costs associated with dangerous or careless driving. This is why many are turning to In Vehicle Management Systems, also known as telematics or GPS tracking.

IVMS allows users, whether that’s an owner or fleet management, immediate insight into their fleet’s driving activities, therefore enabling real-time identification of dangerous, at risk driving behaviour. At risk driving behaviour can include anything from speeding, excessive engine revving, harsh braking, rapid acceleration, freewheeling or entry of dangerous or high risk geofenced areas.

This insight allows users to first and foremost address the risky driving behaviour. Once employees know their driving is being regularly monitored and at-risk behaviour is being addressed, employees will tend to drive more carefully.

In addition, IVMS offers users the ability to:

• Communicate proactively with drivers by way of an in-cab warning system. Alerts can be audible (i.e. buzzer) or visual (i.e. flashing light) to inform a driver when they have broken a safe driving rule such as speeding or harsh braking. This system is excellent for promoting driver awareness, and over time, these warnings will improve driving habits and break the bad ones.

• Report on driving behaviour. Users can create custom reports or utilise existing templates to visually illustrate risky driving habits such as speeding or unauthorized vehicle use.

• Notify management if a safety parameter is breached or an accident occurs. IVMS can be programmed to send various parties an automatic email or SMS alert if a driver is, for example, not wearing their seatbelt, is swerving between lanes, or braking harshly.

Accident Reconstruction

Unfortunately, despite proactive efforts, accidents can still occur. IVMS software allows users to recreate an accident to identify what happened and who was responsible. Information evaluated includes the vehicle speed versus GPS speed (used to identify wheel spin), RPM, both X and Y axis of the accelerometer (details vehicle’s movements from front to back and side to side), and the driver involved. This valuable information will allow you to respond quickly to the incident, and depending on the outcome, provide 'no-fault' evidence for insurance coverage purposes.

There are many In Vehicle Management Systems on the market with varying features and capabilities. When looking for an IVMS provider, ensure you take the time to identify your core requirements beforehand. This will aid you in selecting the best possible system for your organisation, in order to increase employee safety and better protect your assets.