Let’s Talk Telematics – Tools To Help Reduce Liability Costs And Minimize Claims
Jared Collier is a Deeley client, Vice President of AIM Transport, and winner of several carrier safety awards. Here, he shares three telematics technologies to maximize your premium savings and make your operations safer.
Technology tools can give trucking companies a fast-pass for streamlining insurance premiums, with some carriers reducing the cost up to 18 percent. Global Positioning Systems (GPS), electronic log-in devices (ELDs), and remote diagnostics can elevate driver awareness, reduce the likelihood of accidents, improve efficiency, and assure compliance.
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS
Streamlining communications, reducing idle times, capturing in-and-out times, and minimizing thefts are several benefits GPS offers. Trucking operations that leverage GPS tracking systems can reduce liabilities and increase revenues by cutting down on costly driver behaviors. For example, the company can receive notifications if a driver is off-route or track idle time to help save on fuel costs. GPS also protects drivers because they can confirm arrival times and ensure that a load was delivered. Some carriers use GPS to prove drivers were on time for appointments and to track loading and unloading times. Access to real-time coordinates minimizes distracted driving. A controller can see where a truck is on the route to avoid interrupting the driver for an update on location and estimated arrival time. GPS technology reduces theft exposure and increases a trucking company’s chance of recovering a stolen rig.
ELECTRONIC LOG-IN DEVICES
ELDs are industry standard today, and the technology eliminates paper logs that can naturally suffer from human error. This method provides trucking companies with online records for auditing and compliance—and makes roadside inspection stops run smoother. ELDs reduce risk by assuring that drivers are staying within the limits of federally regulated hours-of-service. This minimizes fatigue, a major factor in collisions.
REMOTE DIAGNOSTICS
Rather than losing time to find out why a ‘check engine’ light is on, remote diagnostics tools allow trucking companies to get exact fault codes, taking out the guesswork. Based on the code and issue, the company can determine whether to finish a run or immediately seek service to prevent a costly repair. Some systems provide information such as the nearest place for service—crucial when drivers are far from their base of operations. Aside from maintenance and repair alerts, remote diagnostics can track fuel mileage. With fuel being one of the largest expenses in the trucking industry, better fuel management can make a significant impact on the bottom line. Also, companies can compare odometer miles to driver-paid miles reported by the GPS to identify discrepancies.
HOW SAFE IS YOUR TRUCKING OPERATION?
There are a range of tools, software programs, and systems you can implement to decrease liabilities and save money. And don’t forget about safety education for your employees. Talk to your Deeley Client Advisor today. We can help.
