Fleet risk management: Maximising the benefits of vehicle technology

Fleet risk management-related technologies generally fall into three categories:

• Cameras and visual monitoring 
• Telematics and tracking
• Sensors, radar, and driver assistance systems

While other technologies may be available and some use a combination of the above to achieve their benefits, the listed items are the types most commonly encountered in fleet risk management. 

1. Cameras and visual monitoring

Cameras generally fall into two categories — external and internal. External cameras face outside the vehicle, usually to the front, rear, and/or down the side, facing backwards down each side of the vehicle.  

To maximise the benefits of external cameras, you can:

• Retain footage for a few minutes prior to and after an incident. Including a reasonable time before and after an impact is important to provide full context of the event. This footage may be invaluable in challenging a third party’s account of the incident, determining fault, evidencing third-party vehicle occupancy, and showing the conduct of parties involved post-incident.
• Review footage when telematics data identifies harsh braking, acceleration, or cornering events. This review can identify opportunities to provide coaching and feedback to drivers, potentially preventing future collisions.

Internal cameras can also provide assistance by:

• Identifying instances of driver distraction or fatigue, especially when used in conjunction with other in-cab monitoring technology designed to detect eye placement. 
• Affording additional information and context to incident investigations, helping to clarify what a driver was doing at the time of the event. 
• Preventing theft, as load bay cameras installed in vehicle cargo areas can enhance load security and aid in loss prevention. 

However, the use of internal cameras may raise concerns among drivers and negatively impact recruitment and retention.  Therefore, their implementation has to be balanced against legitimate aims and objectives of the business. 

2. Telematics and tracking

Telematics systems provide valuable feedback on daily vehicle operation that can be used to achieve several objectives, including:

• Promoting efficient driving through a focus on smooth driving styles. Reducing harsh acceleration and braking can improve fuel efficiency — lowering fuel costs — and reduce wear and tear on vehicles, potentially decreasing maintenance and repair costs. 
• Identifying poor driving behaviour before an incident occurs. This allows fleet managers to intervene and discuss driving behaviours with a driver.
• Vehicle tracking that can help prevent theft of a vehicle and facilitate recovery of a stolen vehicle.  

3. Sensors, radar, and driver assistance systems

Sensors and radar technology in vehicles can help manage blind spots by providing drivers with additional information on the physical risks surrounding the vehicle. However, these systems should not be entirely relied upon in place of proper visual checks. Sensors and radars can malfunction, become dirty or obstructed, or fail to detect certain hazards. Drivers should remain attentive to audible alerts, even if they believe no hazard is present. If there is any doubt, they should exit the vehicle and perform a manual check, provided it is safe to do so. 

To ensure the consistent functionality of sensors and radar devices, vehicles should be cleaned and maintained. 

Drivers should be instructed not to disable assistance systems such as lane departure warning, autonomous braking, and speed limiters. Managers need to ensure these rules are enforced. This may involve explaining to drivers how these technologies are designed to protect them and how to effectively work alongside them.

Drawbacks to vehicle technology

In some cases, too many screens, audible warnings, and other feedback can provide driver distraction and become counterproductive to fleet risk management aims. Additionally, these technologies often require a significant investment of time and money to realise their full benefits. 

In the long term, technology devices on their own will do little to influence positive driver behaviour. It is important to regularly use output data and provide feedback to drivers to demonstrate a continuous management focus on safe driving behaviour. 

Fitting technology can lead to premium discounts 

In general, insurers do not provide premium discounts for installing cameras, telematics, or sensors on a vehicle. However, the use of such technology as part of a robust fleet risk management strategy can help to reduce claims and costs that will positively influence insurance premiums in future.  

Additionally, focusing on decreasing incidents can yield other benefits for organisations, including:

• Less time spent on incident management: Reducing incidents can cut down the time needed to deal with incidents and third-party complaints, as a result of damage to their property.
• Reduced likelihood of major incidents: Vehicles can be especially dangerous, even at low speed. While most low-speed manoeuvring incidents relate to property damage, a low-speed collision with a pedestrian or vulnerable road user can have a catastrophic consequence.

How Marsh can help

To support DSPs manage their fleet risk, Marsh can provide a number of risk management services, including:

The Marsh Learning Companion 

This app-based training system allows you to design, deliver, and record training for drivers. This enables quick and easy communication with drivers via interactive courses that last only a few minutes. A training portal also helps with administration, recording and tracking completion of training, and can provide vital evidence of training systems in the event of a health and safety prosecution.

One-to-one driver training

Marsh can help arrange personal driver training to address concerns about performance or in response to an incident. This helps drivers understand what areas they need to focus on to improve driving performance and provides practical driving advice. 

Post-incident processes and claims management

We provide guidance on post-incident procedures and claims management to help contain costs. This includes advising drivers on the actions to take after an incident, how to investigate incidents, and the necessary follow-up actions.  

Please contact your Marsh adviser to find out how we can support your fleet risk management.