Telematics for Work Trucks

Fleetwest Transferable Service Body customers save money within their fleets. The Durashell and Load'N'Go service bodies will outlast multiple trucks and are completely transferable, slipping on and off your pickup in minutes, creating a more versatile fleet. No-holes-drilled installation preserves the condition of your pickup and increases resell value for both the service body and truck.

Transferability: Economical and Versatile

 
So what should you buy with all the excess money you'll save? Telematics GPS enabled systems are one option, and a hot topic right now. There are many benefits to utilizing telematics within your fleet, and a pending mandate for electronic logging may be required for trucks covered by the hours of service rules. However, there are also liability concerns that you should be aware of also.

Benefits

Telematic systems record and transmit information about company vehicles through computerized maintenance reports. They provide remote vehicle diagnostics and fleet management opportunities as well as vehicle tracking and loss prevention. Different telematic companies offer options such as temperature sensitive freight monitoring (useful in the Durashell service body), satellite navigation, and emergency warning systems. Drivers will have the convenience of talking to operators at the push of a button. Fleet management will have the opportunity to reduce gas expense, vehicle wear and tear, insurance cost, and potential liabilities by re-educating unsafe drivers. What's not to like about this new technology?

Caution

While telematics help companies to avoid the chance of certain liabilities, the systems can also cause them. Laws and regulations regarding telematics have yet to catch up with the technology and they vary from state to state. It is important to do your research regarding these laws if you decide to implement a system into your company. Privacy issues may occur because of the GPS tracking system. Some states require employee notification that informs the drivers that they may be monitored or if video surveillance is involved. Another negative aspect to telematics is the data management. Sifting through all the data can be time consuming, and also makes you responsible to report unsafe driving incidents to avoid legal issues such as vicarious liability.

The best way to smoothly implement a telematic program into your fleet is through training and driver education. It is important to have a no cell phone policy for drivers and to ensure they will not use technologies unless they are safely parked. Management should develop comprehensive policies, investigate each driver before hiring, and regularly review the telematics data for safety. Like with all technology, companies need to ask themselves if the benefits outweigh the risk.

Transferable truck bodies are a risk-free investment. Get a quote at Fleetwest.net or call toll-free: 866- 497-7200