By Nate Oland, senior national account executive for Federated Mutual Insurance Co.

It only takes one moment for everything to change while driving, resulting in a potentially devastating—and costly—accident. But who is at fault when these accidents occur? They often happen so quickly that pinpointing the moment a mistake was made is extremely—or at least it was. With technologies developed specifically for vehicle and in-cab monitoring, some of the grey areas can be eliminated.

Driver-monitoring technology is a valuable way to help prevent accidents. Video telematics systems provide data inside and outside the cab to help pinpoint causes of collisions while offering information that helps management identify risky behaviors, including distracted driving, to help coach employees on safe-driving techniques.

Leverage Technology

In-cab video technology, or “dash cams,” can prove invaluable in helping you identify and correct risky driving behavior among your workforce. It can also provide valuable evidence in the event of a vehicle crash. Whether the evidence is in your company’s favor or not, knowing what occurred can help prepare you for potential subsequent litigation. Use of video technology in fleet vehicles may prove useful in several ways:

• Drivers who know they are on camera may be more safety-conscious behind the wheel.
• In-cab video footage can help you identify drivers’ risky behavior so you can take corrective action before a crash occurs.
• Video recording around the exterior of the vehicle can help give you a clear view of the facts should a collision occur, which may help support your defense against false claims levied at your drivers.
• Knowing who is at fault in the event of a driving incident may help reduce the frequency claims and false accusations, which may ultimately reduce the time and cost of litigation to better help you get your business back on track.

With so many fleet vehicles on the road, keeping track of your drivers with in-cab technologies can help make it easier to capture safety infractions that may have gone unnoticed and uncorrected in the past.

Predictive Analytics and Insights

In-cab telematics systems may:

• Monitor factors such as speed, harsh acceleration, sharp or abrupt turns, and break usage, giving you a better picture of your drivers’ behavior behind the wheel.
• Allow for real-time monitoring, providing immediate feedback to drivers to make necessary safety adjustments.
• Help with reporting and accounting, allowing you instant access to reports and alerts from drivers out on the road.
• Allow for businesses to analyze performance data to help pinpoint possible causes of collisions and help provide opportunities to improve overall driving culture and fleet performance.

The truth may be hard to face in some instances, but utilizing this valuable data means that your business and drivers may be better protected by monitoring employee driving habits. In the end, it could lead to corrected behavior and a safer experience for everyone.

GPS Tracking and Vehicle Monitoring

GPS tracking tools can help you get full visibility of your fleet vehicles out on the road in real time. Some GPS services can provide information on vehicle location, provide an overview of a vehicle’s daily route, and note the location of an incident, if one occurs. They can also help you find the closest available vehicle when you need to respond to a customer quickly.

Auto crashes are not going away, and their financial consequences keep growing. An important thing you can do as a business owner is realize that your fleet could be at risk, and any incident surrounding your drivers or vehicles could lead to high-stakes litigation or devastating loss. Take the initiative now and explore extra safety solutions to help prevent crashes in the future and to help your company drivers make it home safe today.

Reach out to your local Federated Insurance marketing representative for more information on this and other risk management topics.