Throughout 2024, there have been multiple reports of heavy-duty vehicle collisions and fatalities across South Africa. These accidents are typically a result of human error, which could have been avoided if the driver, or drivers practised adequate road safety. As a result, fleet managers require more robust and innovative tools that will help them easily monitor their fleet, improve operational efficiency, enhance driver training, identify potential risks, and above all, increase road safety across the board.
In this article, we will take a closer look at what video telematics is and how it is revolutionising fleet management.
What is video telematics?
Before we dive into video telematics, we need to have a basic understanding of general telematics. Telematics consists of technology that monitors and collects a large amount of data from a vehicle. This data can include real-time location reporting via GPS tracking, fuel monitoring, vehicle diagnostics, odometer readings, brake reporting, acceleration reporting, idling times, and overall impact.
Telematics collects the data and transfers it to a user-friendly dashboard, where fleet managers can view the data and make informed decisions regarding their fleet.
Now video telematics combines high-definition video footage with the vehicle data to provide fleet managers with a more in-depth, real-time view of their fleet. Fleet managers not only have access to the base information but can now view the vehicle at various angles (in-cab, front-view, rear-view, side-view, or trailer view etc.).
How is video telematics revolutionising fleet management?
Video telematics is revolutionizing fleet management by enhancing the transparency of a fleet’s operations. This comprehensive data allows fleet managers to better leverage the advanced technology to gain actionable insights into their business. With this data, fleet managers can improve driver and fleet safety, create relevant training programmes, boost operational efficiency, and so much more.
Let us take a closer look the some of the ways video telematics can benefit fleet managers:
Optimise your fleets safety
Video telematics can assist fleet managers in two crucial areas when coming to improving overall fleet safety. These areas include driver behaviour monitoring and incident reporting and analysis:
- Driver Monitoring: With the help of real-time video footage, fleet managers can monitor a drivers’ behaviour throughout a single trip or across multiple trips to identify any potential “risky” behaviour, which include harsh acceleration, abrupt braking, or texting while driving. Fleet managers can also utilise this same technology to assist driver’s in the event of a hijacking by being able to provide fast-acting support and can notify driver’s of issues in or around the vehicle during transit.
- Incident Reporting: Fleet managers can utilise the video footage captured to gain insights into any event, providing enough information to determine what happened, how the accident occurred, and who was at fault. This can help exonerate drivers’ falsely accused of causing an accident, identify potential areas of fraud or theft, and safeguard the company’s reputation from being damaged.
Reducing insurance costs and simplifying claims
Insurance premiums are already at an all-time high for fleet managers due to various social and economical fluctuations that have occurred within the last 2 years. A fleet manager can take advantage of their video telematics solutions to help reduce their insurance premiums and fast-track any insurance claims:
- Reducing Premiums: By actively investing in video telematics to help improve fleet safety, fleet managers can potentially quality for reduced premiums as they are considered lower risk. With the help of video telematics, authorities and insurance providers don’t need to rely on the “he said, she said” game, as the video footage will provide clear insights into an incident.
- Optimise Claims: Fleet managers can simplify the insurance claim process by providing immediate proof of the event, using the video footage captured, which in turn can help resolve the claim process sooner. This means companies can save on downtime costs.
Improve operational efficiency for your fleet
Video telematics systems can provide the necessary transparency required by a fleet manager to help improve operational inefficiencies that could be costing the business money. These areas of optimisation include:
- Route Planning: With the help of video telematics data, fleet managers can implement route planning strategies that will help reduce fuel consumption, mitigate risks associated with high-crime areas, set up “no-go” zones, and improve overall operational efficiency.
- Vehicle Maintenance: Video telematics data can inform fleet managers to the health of a vehicle. This allows them to take a proactive approach when it comes to scheduling vehicle maintenance, reducing downtime costs associated with vehicle breakdowns.
Create targeted training programmes
Fleet managers can utilise the video telematics data to identify areas of improvement when it comes to poor driver behaviour and help provide more targeted training to resolve those issues. Fleet managers can also use the video footage collected to simulate various driving scenarios e.g., driving in harsh weather, navigating through crowded and busy intersections, driving through narrow streets etc. This type of training can help bolster driver’s confidence and improve their skill set.
Ensure operational compliance and uphold industry regulations
Every industry has a set of unique compliance rules and regulations and standards that need to be followed. Fleet managers can easily monitor the video telematics data received, to ensure drivers and other employees adhere to the industry’s compliance with its regulations and standards. This is vital, especially when referring to the industry’s strict safety and operational requirements.
Make data-driven decisions for your fleet
Video telematics can be a powerful tool if wielded correctly. Fleet managers can review the data gathered and create data-driven strategies that can improve productivity, boost operational efficiency, ensure driver safety, and reduce costs where applicable.
How can Landmark Tracking help you?
With new advancements in fleet management and video telematics technology occurring frequently, having to stay on top of industry trends can take your attention away from growing your business. By partnering with Landmark Tracking, we can provide top-tier fleet management and video telematics solutions that are tailored to your company’s individual business requirements.
Whether you want to optimise fleet security, monitor driver behaviour, track your fleet more efficiently, identify risks, or simply be in the know when it comes to your business operations, Landmark Tracking can help.
Contact our team today on +27 (0) 11 728 4757 or email us at info@landmarktracking.co.za and get behind the wheel of your fleet operations today!
