Visibility is crucial for effective fleet management. With increased visibility into the status of their vehicles and the behavior of their drivers, fleet managers can make better decisions – both short term and long term – that boost safety, efficiency and cost effectiveness across their operations.
Data from telematics devices provides that visibility.
While light- and medium-duty vehicles and non-regulated heavy vehicles are typically not required to use telematics devices, fleets comprising these types of vehicles should not disregard the potential benefits that telematics can provide to their operations.
Benefits of GPS Tracking
GPS tracking allows fleet managers to know where their vehicles are at any given moment. This level of visibility delivers short- and long-term benefits.
In terms of day-to-day operations, fleet managers can make better dispatch decisions based on vehicle location, provide more accurate ETAs to customers (or proactively update them on any changes or delays) and ensure that drivers are sticking to their routes, helping to eliminate unauthorized vehicle usage. GPS tracking coupled with geofences increases these benefits by alerting fleet managers when a boundry has been crossed.
In the long term, historical GPS data can help fleet managers identify recurring trouble spots in routes and adjust accordingly to optimize routes, increasing productivity and improving fuel efficiency.
Benefits of Driver Behavior Data
In addition to telling fleet managers where their vehicles are, telematics provides data about how the vehicles are being driven. Through telematics devices, fleet managers receive information about safety-critical events, such as speeding, hard braking, rapid acceleration and harsh cornering.
Armed with this data, fleet managers can more effectively coach drivers to improve fleet safety (as well as give recognition to safe drivers). Eliminating dangerous driving also helps prevent vehicle wear and tear and improves fuel efficiency.
A report on the use of commercial GPS found that, “Vehicle tracking … helps increase mobile workforce productivity and safety and enables enterprises to reduce labor and fuel expenses.”
An analysis of industry studies cited in the report found that the benefits of implementing GPS tracking technology include average savings of
- 11.3% on labor costs
- 13.2% on fuel costs
- 13.2% on capital equipment costs (primarily maintenance and repair)
“Other reported benefits,” according to the report, “include a 25% increase in work orders (on account of faster completion rates), 45% fewer accidents and 40% fewer issuances of speeding violations.”
Benefits of In-Cab Video
In-cab video recorders – or dash cams – provide visual context to other telematics data and provide an extra level of protection for companies and drivers.
Free download: How Dash Cams Protect Your Drivers and Your Business
Driver exoneration: The No. 1 benefit of dash cams is driver exoneration. The road can be a risky place – especially for workers who spend a lot of their day driving. The possibility of a driver being involved in an accident is a constant concern. In some instances, commercial vehicles are targeted with staged accident schemes. In addition to putting people’s safety at risk and causing costly damage to vehicles, accidents expose companies to legal liability.
In-cab video recorders – or dash cams – help mitigate that exposure.
Dash cams act as an unbiased witness to what happens on the road. Video evidence can quickly show when a company driver was not at fault in an accident.
Expedite settlements: If dash cam video shows that a company driver was at fault in an accident, the company can move quickly to settle the claim – often saving the company money.
“Even in the event that the camera footage shows that the commercial driver was responsible, it’s better to know that and quickly get the claim closed,” says Dan Petrillo of LaPorte Insurance, an EROAD strategic partner. “The more quickly we can get a liability determination in the life of that claim, the less likely it will turn into a much larger dollar claim.”
Other incidents: In less serious situations, such as when someone calls in a complaint about a driver or claims that a driver caused property damage with a company vehicle while on the job, a fleet manager can use dash cam video verify whether the claim is true or false and take appropriate action.
Driver coaching: When you’re able to show a driver footage of a safety-critical event, such as speeding or hard braking, coaching becomes more impactful. In some instances, dash cam video may show that a safety-critical event was not the fault of the driver, such as a hard braking incident caused by poor driving by another motorist.
EROAD Clarity Edge: The Next Evolution in Video Telematics
Expanding on the advantages of video telematics and dashcams, experience a smarter, proactive risk management solution.
Take fleet safety and performance to the next level with the EROAD Clarity Edge AI Dashcam. Designed to protect your drivers and fleet, it uses cutting-edge AI technology to detect and prevent risky driving, distractions, and fatigue. By leveraging real-time insights and actionable data, Clarity Edge empowers you to proactively address risks—making it a must-have tool for smarter, safer fleet management.
Here are some key benefits that Clarity Edge AI Dash Cam offers:
3-in-1 safety tech: Combines Road AI, Driver AI, and Fatigue AI to detect and prevent risky driving, fatigued driving, and distractions
Comprehensive fleet insights: Real-time behavior data for smarter coaching and risk reduction
Proactive driver coaching: Easy-to-use portal for targeted feedback and habit improvement
Smart event tagging: AI flags risks instantly, simplifying analysis and action
Customizable alerts: Real-time in-cab warnings to boost safety without distractions
A Dash Cam Solution for Every Fleet
Whatever the size, type, or use of your fleet, EROAD’s Clarity Dashcam products are designed to meet your needs. Clarity Edge integrates AI-powered video and telematics to enhance safety, efficiency, and visibility throughout your whole fleet.
