Boost Fleet Safety By Reducing Distracted Driving

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and while the month may be coming to a close there is still plenty of time to focus your attention on this major safety concern that all fleets face. Paying full attention behind the wheel is critical for drivers, from the moment they start their vehicle. Good drivers can become dangerous “distracted drivers” if they use a phone, eat, drink or smoke, even around a parking lot.

For years, fleets were left in the dark when it came to the distracted driving habits of their drivers. Today, onboard dash cameras are helping curb these major safety concerns and helping fleets coach drivers on ways to be more attentive when they are behind the wheel.

Always remember that anything that makes you lose focus on the road for a second — even conversation with others in the vehicle, or a hands-free phone call — counts as distracted driving.

The Risks of Distracted Driving, and How Fleets Can Respond

Why is it so important to prevent these types of distractions, however small they might seem? In 2018 alone, NHTSA estimated there were 400,000 injuries caused by distracted driving.

NHTSA also estimates that collisions caused by distracted driving cost tens of billions of dollars a year in damages, for things such as vehicle repair, litigation fees, rising insurance rates, and more. As an employer, you may be liable for the negligible driving of on-duty employees.

When left unchecked, one-offs become driving habits, and habits are hard to break. The best course of action for fleets is to get out in front of the issue and help drivers understand where they can improve.

Improving Fleet Safety With Technology

Surfsight camera technology is a MyGeotab add-In that uses machine vision and AI to provide insight on risky driving behavior throughout your fleet. The solution can be configured to provide audio alerts signaling risky driving events and provide live-stream footage from road-facing and in-cab cameras.

Here’s how driver coaching and intelligent dashcams with MV+AI can help:

• Improve driver behavior

• Learn from real-world examples of distracted driving

• Encourage drivers to course correct

• Reduce the risk of collisions

• Increase road safety

Integrating Dashcams Into Your Fleet

Integration with the MyGeotab platform means that companies can manage all fleet cameras from a single cloud dashboard. Through email alerts, containing video footage of risky driving incidents, businesses can use it to work with employees to help boost safe driving habits.

The good news is that the process is easier than ever. Whether you are upgrading your outdated dash cameras or are implementing them for the very first time, the Argos Connected team is here to help. Learn more about our services and technology partners by scheduling a consultation today.