Driver safety technology is a key factor in preventing accidents and creating a crash-free future for drivers, says Andy Yeoman, managing director of Trimble Mobile Resource Management (MRM) in Europe, a provider of telematics technology.
Studies have shown the majority of road traffic accidents are a result of driver behavior or distractions but a recent study from UK road safety charity Brake suggests that the majority of drivers believe they are safer than, or as safe as, the average driver and are quick to place blame on third parties instead.
Vehicle manufacturers are developing enhanced safety systems with crash-avoidance technology but while manufacturers work on developing safer vehicles, careless drivers need to be made aware of dangerous habits behind the wheel and take positive steps toward safer driving.
In support of efforts to create a crash-free future-as well as to help businesses save on accident costs, Trimble has developed DriverSafety, which measures aggressive driving behaviors like harsh turns, hard braking and rapid acceleration, then gives real-time feedback to drivers and managers. Its DriverSafety dashboard gives fleet managers, supervisors and risk managers an overview of individual driver behaviors, which allows managers to address issues directly with the drivers concerned and give further training if it is needed. An in-vehicle warning system also alerts drivers to when they need to change their driving behavior to be safer on the road.
"When you take into account the additional paperwork, the loss of productivity from the vehicle being out of service and damage to the corporate image, the cost rises even further. Telematics technology has already proven to be a tool for saving businesses money and ultimately could be invaluable in moving toward the ideal of a crash-free future," said Yeoman.
