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Close to 70% of British road users say that they prefer to support companies that employ safe, professional drivers. According to the same data, HGV drivers are also one of the least likely to be considered the safest drivers, and similarly unlikely to be seen as considerate in their use of the road. So what does this tell us? Firstly, that HGV drivers have a PR problem: they are generally considered to be unsafe and careless. Secondly, we can see that concerns over how safe a company’s drivers are will affect the reputation of that company in a commercial setting, and may affect how much haulage work the company is contracted to do. What Can We Do? Driver training and incentives for quality driving are a good place to start, however it can be difficult to tell exactly how well a driver is following their training. “How’s my driving” numbers can help, but display a heavy bias towards complaints, as other motorists are more likely to notice a dangerous driver over a safe one. This is a field where telematics technology can be applied to improve the standards of haulage work everywhere. What Is Telematics? Telematics is the use of technology in order to monitor driver performance and provide dynamic feedback. It has several functions within haulage work. Firstly, being able to inform a driver of the speed limit and provide data on whether drivers keep it or not. It also allows for fuel consumption to be recorded and provides a driver with a suggested speed to maximise efficiency within legal limits. Additionally, data can be collected on instabilities in vehicle speed and advise can be given to a driver to change gear in order to maintain high efficiency. There are examples of just a few of applications the telematics technology can facilitate, though there are of course many more. Telematics technology takes the form of a box mounted in the cabin of the vehicle, and can be thought of as an ever-present digital assessor, ensuring that any and all haulage work is carried out safely and with optimal efficiency. Why Use It? The most obvious value of telematics comes in its ability to ensure that a driver is operating safely and efficiently, thus reducing the chance of injury and maximising fuel efficiency. This, of course, is a valuable end unto itself. Disclosing these figures is also a magnificent PR opportunity. Publishing figures showing just how safe and fuel-efficient your drivers are is a sure-fire way to put to rest the concerns of the general population. This can help to rapidly give your haulage work a clean, professional feel to it and, as a result, attract new customers. Telematics could also be a way to reduce everyday running costs. Decreasing numbers of accidents will mean lower insurance premiums and fewer overheads in terms of legal fees. Informing your insurer that all of your drivers run telematics may even help in and of itself when negotiating premiums. Additionally, encouraging more efficient driving in your workforce will pay its own dividends in decreased fuel box and lowered maintenance costs. Any logistics companies looking to build a reputation as clean, professional and safe drivers are highly recommended to look into telematics. There is no better way to not only collect publishable data to show off the quality of your driving, but also to give drivers dynamic feedback. Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting logistics professionals across the UK and Europe through their website, Haulage Exchange provides services for matching haulage work with available drivers. Over 4,000 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.
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