Why video telematics the next step in tackling driver distraction
Just like the big man in red, the transport industry plays a crucial role in delivering a magical Christmas for everyone. This is undoubtedly our busiest time of year, with trucks typically running 24/7 over the holiday period to cater to the high demand for deliveries to arrive on time.
With the Christmas pressure on to ensure Santa Claus turns up, technology can be a driver’s magical helper. It enables streamlined communication between drivers, management, and customers, while providing real-time updates and peace of mind while supporting safety and efficiency.
Here are the top 4 ways technology can help transport businesses manage the busy holiday season and deliver Christmas on time.
1. Tick off maintenance before the Christmas rush
No one wants to deal with an unexpected breakdown in the middle of the Christmas delivery rush. You may be running on skeleton staff while your usual mechanics might be on holiday, and you’re just trying to make customers happy and tick deliveries off safely.
It’s essential to ensure fleet maintenance is covered before the holiday period with predictive maintenance tools to avoid lengthy breakdowns. Predictive maintenance tech helps businesses organise their vehicle maintenance timetables to avoid having to deal with preventable issues during the busy Christmas period.
Completing comprehensive digital pre-trip checklists also helps ensure nothing is missed in the lead-up to the busy period. Through an in-vehicle device, drivers can tick off after checking oil levels, signal lights and brakes, and ensure there are no poor tyre threads, worn-out drive belts, or leaks from various pipes that run across your truck.
2. Ensure drivers make it home safe
Driving during this season comes with heightened risk. There is more traffic and congestion on the roads with drivers who are often tired, in a rush, potentially driving under the influence, or simply anxious trying to navigate areas where they are not familiar. If you’re a truck driver, you also want to get to your destination quickly to ensure you meet customer demands and get back to the depot for your next task.
Tech can help to reduce risk and ensure driver safety – Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered Smart Dashcams offer fleet visibility by recording 100 per cent of driving time. The dashcams sound real-time audible alerts when you’re exhibiting dangerous behaviours so you can instantly correct any dangerous driving and ensure you’re staying safe while navigating busy roads.
Additionally, real-time GPS tracking and Electronic Work Diaries (EWDs) ensure your managers can monitor your location and track your regulation breaks. So, there’s less chance of incidents occurring.
3. Avoid grinchy customers – keep them updated
Keeping your customers updated during the silly season is imperative because delivering those last-minute gifts and orders is no mean feat. Unfortunately, there will always be dissatisfied customers; this is where GPS-enabled telematics have both the driver’s and manager’s back.
Rather than drivers having to call managers to provide updates, managers can see exactly where drivers are on their routes. So, it’s easy to provide customer updates even with less staff available, thanks to this real-time visibility along with digitised reporting. There is even the possibility of giving your customers access within the fleet management solution to see where their deliveries are in some cases.
GPS tracking also makes it easier to avoid issues and for managers to keep an eye on events to ensure deliveries run smoothly, and customers are satisfied. Plus, you can alert customers and fix the problem swiftly if anything goes awry. There may be no sleighbells to alert customers of your arrival, but unlike Santa, they’ll know exactly when you’re planning to arrive – so there’s no need for the theatrics.
4. Be more efficient than Santa
Sure, Santa must be quick in his sleigh to deliver millions of presents – but truck drivers just might have it harder. There’s no magic reindeer to keep you going meaning you must rely on your own Christmas spirit, but thankfully, there is tech.
There are plenty of ways to save time during the busy period without speeding to avoid missing a delivery deadline. Fleet management solutions save time by digitising everything, so all your paperwork is in one place. Rather than having to complete paper-based pre-trip checklists and work diaries or track maintenance via a paper trail – it’s all one system. There’s no chasing paperwork when you’d rather be home watching The Grinch.
With a fleet management solution, you can also plan your routes to ensure they’re optimised and that you’re completing your deliveries as efficiently as possible. You can avoid congested or unsafe roads to save time and avoid incidents; your pre-planned route is then available for you in the system to follow. No glowing red Rudolph nose – no problem; you’ll know the best path to take so you can focus on making your deliveries as safely as possible.
All you want for Christmas is safe and efficient deliveries
The holiday period can be especially stressful for transport businesses. By using the technology at your disposal, you can manage the holiday season effectively, keep customers jolly, and make sure everyone makes it through in one piece.