How Can Telematics Improve Driver Safety and Your Bottom Line?

July 24, 2019

With the numerous safety features in vehicles today, and the emphasis on autonomous vehicle technology, you’d think commercial driver safety would be on the rise. While the desire to improve fleet safety has increased, the number of fatalities in large truck crashes has actually increased 22 percent between 2009 and 2015.

Recent studies also have found changes in the type of crashes that occur, and the underlying causes.. For example:

  • Distracted driving accidents are increasing
  • Rear-end collisions are the most common type of fleet accident
  • The average age of fleet drivers in accidents is increasing

Combatting losses with fleet management systems
Automated fleet management systems, also known as telematics, have the potential to improve driver safety and these reverse recent trends. It’s estimated that 40 percent of non-privately owned commercial vehicles will be using fleet management systems by 2020. Also, with 12.7 million systems projected to be in use by 2020, companies may witness fewer fleet accidents, fatalities and an improved bottom line.

The right information
Due to the increase in accidents and the related costs, many businesses are seeing auto insurance rate increases of up to 25 percent. Telematics can monitor and improve driver actions, and help to reduce rate increases. But, telematics must be used properly to see results. The technology itself does not improve driver behavior — it’s how businesses use the data collected by fleet management systems.
Amerisure, its PFS agencies and policyholders must go beyond just monitoring driver data and performance. Action using that data can create an effective driver safety program.

Systems generally track a vehicle’s location, driver habits, fuel usage and vehicle condition. This information enables fleet managers, working in tandem with Amerisure, to optimize driver routes, monitor idle time and fuel usage — and much more.

Amerisure’s telematics program
Amerisure’s telematics pilot program was used by 26 commercial fleets, which equates to 1,800 vehicles and more than 32 million miles driven over a two-year period. Pilot program participants were able to decrease claims by 30 percent and losses by 74 percent, on average. The formal program, known as FleetAlliance®, is offered to Amerisure policyholders with commercial auto coverage. There are even cost-sharing opportunities available for select policyholders.

Interested in learning how FleetAlliance can help your fleet perform at maximum efficiency? Talk to an Amerisure agency today.

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