Telematics
This year’s Operation Safe Driver Week is set for July 11-17 and will focus on speeding. During this week, law enforcement will be on the lookout for commercial motor vehicles engaging in aggressive and risky driving. Any drivers whose activity is identified as unsafe will be pulled over and cited or warned.
The CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance) has selected speeding as its prime focus this year. According to National Safety Council estimates, the rate of death on roads last year increased 24%, the highest jump in death rate in 96 years. Speeding claims a significant percentage of traffic fatalities, and data shows that a 10 mph increase in speed increases the risk of crash by over 9%. Due to the sharp increase in fatal accidents in 2020, this year’s emphasis is on speeding.
Not Limited to Speeding
While the focus is primarily on speeding, law enforcement will also be tracking reckless, unsafe driving, including distracted driving, improper lane changes, failure to wear a seat belt, and driving under the influence.
Are Your Telematics Devices Help You Manage Safety?
We have great telematics solutions that can help you manage and improve the safety of your drivers, decreasing your risk and ultimately saving you money. Benefits for drivers, benefits for fleets, benefits for the company bottom line. Give us a call to learn more.
Vehicle Licensing Consultants
A Virtual Projects, LLC Company
Fleet & Driver Compliance…Fleet Tracking Software
530-384-3884
Telematics
As telematics devices grow in popularity, it is easy to see the benefits to the company and to the fleet manager. Let’s take a look at the technology, the communications, and the vehicle data to see how these features benefit the driver.
Safety
Telematics solutions track data like aggressive driving (speeding, hard braking, rapid acceleration, etc.). In addition to capturing the data, many solutions will process and present the data in a way to help encourage driving changes that promote safety.
Some systems are capable of alerting the driver when they are in a dangerous situation, are speeding, or headed for a sharp curve in the road ahead. The system can also alert the fleet manager when the unsafe driving persists. Constructive feedback can save money, reduce vehicle wear, and save lives.
Routing
Gone are the days of manual route planning and rigid inflexible schedules. Telematics solutions can report a change in road conditions, an accident, a road closure and help route the driver saving time and frustration. Optimize routes can save time and money. If an important client needs a change or critical delivery, fleet managers can pivot in response.
Maintenance
Mechanical failures can take hours to resolve and leave a driver stranded with minimal productivity and maximum frustration. Telematics can detect engine issues before they cause a breakdown, so the vehicle can be scheduled for service. Not only does this feature help budget and save on maintenance costs, but it also keeps the driver happy with a well-functioning vehicle. It can even prevent accidents and major loss from a malfunctioning component. Preventive maintenance is a necessity for any fleet.
Geofencing
GPS tracking can help clients and other team members know when a driver is getting close to a job site or close to return to the fold. Geofencing notifications can be sent out when a vehicle enters a certain ‘fence’ or range so the team or customer is prepared for arrival. Imagine a delivery for which the loading dock must be prepared and staffed. If the driver must sit and wait for this to happen, it can mean a loss of productivity and a frustrating wait. Geofencing notifications take care of this alerting the customer that their shipment will be arriving in 30 minutes. All necessary arrangements are made, and the unloading of the cargo is fast, efficient, and on schedule.
Telematics devices continue to grow in features and capabilities. Partner with VLC for a telematics solution you will never grow out of. VLC telematics solutions come with a lifetime warranty. We will work with you to upgrade your devices and keep you tracking. VLC, your partner in transport.
Vehicle Licensing Consultants
A Virtual Projects, LLC Company
Fleet & Driver Compliance…Fleet Tracking Software
https://im4trux.com/
530-384-3884
Telematics
Vehicle telematics provides an abundance of useful data that can be collected, combined, and reported on from one convenient, easy-to-install piece of technology. When most people talk about telematics or GPS, they think navigation. This is certainly an important aspect, but only a small slice of what this technology has to offer.
Vehicle Tracking
Collect accurate data on vehicle location, speed, trip distance, overall trip time, engine idling, and so much more. Know when that vehicle will complete its current assignment and ready for its next schedule.
Vehicle Health
Extract valuable data on your fleet vehicle’s health and status. VIN, odometer, engine faults, and more help you prioritize maintenance and identify risky vehicles and driving habits.
Collision Detection
Telematics devices can detect exceptional events such as acceleration, hash braking, cornering, and other data points that can help with collision reconstruction. Alerts (both email and desktop) can keep fleet managers notified in the event of a collision, providing early signals and help for the driver.
Route Optimization
Reduce vehicle mileage and fuel consumption by optimizing routes for your drivers. Find the right route, the right time, and compare planned vs. actual so you can fine tune your schedule and driver routes.
Secure Data Collection
A good telematics device will use encryption, authentication, and verification when sending data from the device to the network. It is important to collect good data from your fleet vehicles; it is even more important that the data is secure and that all updates come from a trusted source.
Driver Coaching
Immediate feedback can help improve fleet safety. In-vehicle driver coaching can alert the driver with spoken words or an audible alert when driving behavior is unsafe. Reinforce your company policies and encourage your drivers to obey the rules of the road.
Benefits of Telematics and Fleet Management for Home Services
Home services companies such as HVAC, plumbing, etc. are turning to telematics and fleet management to help reduce their fleet management costs. Fleet management solutions give managers a opportunity to improve their fleet operations and are increasingly embracing this technology to save money and improve customer satisfaction. Here are a few specific benefits for home services companies:
- Reduced fuel costs
- Optimized dispatching
- Improved vehicle maintenance
- Optimized driving behavior
- Improved driver safety
- Enhanced customer satisfaction
Measurement and Management
Collect the events that matter most to your business. Collect the data that can help you measure and improve productivity, safety, asset utilization and optimization, compliance, and growth. Be armed with data and make informed decisions.
The most important choice in a telematics solution is growth and expansion. Choose a tool that will not be outdated next year and avoid solutions that cannot expand to your fleet size and business needs. At VLC, we have been helping businesses grow their telematics solutions and keeping them on top of the latest technology advances. We know telematics; let us share our knowledge with your team.
Vehicle Licensing Consultants
A Virtual Projects, LLC Company
Fleet & Driver Compliance…Fleet Tracking Software
530-384-3884
BIT Inspections, Telematics
The BIT program (Basic Inspection of Terminals) was updated in 2016 to move from a time-based inspection system to a performance-based selection system. The terminals selected for inspection are based on the California Performance Safety Score (CPSS) which is a derived from a combination of FMCSA, SMS, and BASIC percentiles. Any carrier with a score above the Federal alert level will be selected for inspection. In addition, you can expect terminals that have never been inspected or those from which hazardous materials are transported will be prioritized above others.
What Records are Required for a BIT Inspection
Driver Records:
- DMV Driving Record – required for new drivers until a Pull Notice Record (EPN) is obtained.
- Employer Pull Notices – must be current within 13 months. All EPN records must be signed and dated.
- Drivers’ Hours of Service Records – all driver timekeeping records / records of duty status, including supporting documentation, must be retained for at least 6 months.
- Driver Proficiency Records – drivers records showing the different types of vehicles each can operate proficiently, must be maintained for the term of employment.
- Driver Employment Application – must be retained for the term of employment.
Maintenance Records:
- DVIR (Daily Vehicle Inspection Reports) – must be retained for a minimum of 3 months.
- Mandated Carrier Inspection Reports – must be performed every 90 days and retained for at least 2 years.
- Documentation of all inspection, maintenance, lubrication, and repairs – retained for at least 1 year.
Vehicle Condition:
- Vehicle inspection
- On-Highway Vehicle inspection
Hazardous Materials Records:
- Hazmat training.
- Cargo tank, including proper labeling of packaging and containers.
- Shipping papers including proper entries, sequence, and certification when required, retained for a minimum of 1 year.
Motor carrier laws and regulations are frequently reviewed and change over time. Be sure that you are staying current with these updates as they can affect your ability to operate your fleet of commercial vehicles.
At Vehicle Licensing Consultants, we make it our priority to stay abreast of all regulations affecting the transportation industry. Our services keep your fleet on the road and in compliance. Contact us to learn more about how we help to take the risk of compliance failures off your plate and effectively save you time and money!
Vehicle Licensing Consultants
A Virtual Projects, LLC Company
Fleet & Driver Compliance…Fleet Tracking Software
530-384-3884
Telematics
As the major wireless carriers are working to phase our 3G networks, your vehicle and driving data could be compromised. The phase out of 3G has begun as of December 2020 and is expected to continue through 2021 and end officially in 2022.
What Does it Mean for My Telematics and Driver Data?
As network providers phase out 3G support in favor of 4G/5G technology, you could begin to experience a loss of connection to your vehicle and driving data for your commercial vehicles that have not upgraded their telematics devices.
We Have a Solution with a Lifetime Warranty
VLC will help you prepare for the 3G/4G transition. We will work with you to inventory the number of installed devices still relying on 3G services and build an installation plan for the new 4G supported devices. In addition, our upgrade will be the very last that you must pay for. We will guaranty as technology advances, so too will your telematics device.
This limited lifetime warranty will cover your fleet for all future upgrades and provides replacements for failed devices. As your fleet grows, this is an important step to take in protecting your telematics investments.
Contact VLC for details on their telematics solution and guarantee.
Vehicle Licensing Consultants
A Virtual Projects, LLC Company
Fleet & Driver Compliance…Fleet Tracking Software
