Maintaining a fleet is an essential part of many industries, but it can be challenging even at the best of times. What are the most common risks to your fleet, and what can you do to prevent them? Here’s a close look at fleet risks and solutions.
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1. Vehicle & Asset Theft
Despite advances in vehicle security and related technologies, automotive theft is still an enormous problem in the United States.
On average, every single fleet in the country has two vehicles stolen every year. In 2020, there were 873,080 reported fleet vehicle thefts. Nearly half of the stolen vehicles are never recovered.
2. Harmful Driving Consequences
Driving aggressively, impaired, while distracted, or while sleepy can all have devastating consequences, putting your fleet and drivers at risk, as well as other people on the road.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving caused more than 400,000 injuries and 2,841 deaths in 2018. Texting and driving, eating behind the wheel, and anything that takes your drivers’ eyes off the road can all contribute to this.
Sleepy Driving
Driving while sleep-deprived caused 91,000 crashes and 795 deaths in 2017. Accord to the Sleep Foundation, driving after being awake for 24 hours slows reaction times and impacts judgment just like a 0.10 blood alcohol level.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving was responsible for 26% of all traffic fatalities, totaling 36,560 deaths in 2018.
Impaired Driving
Driving while impaired by prescription medications, alcohol, or illegal drugs is responsible for 29% of vehicle traffic fatalities annually.
The bottom line is that drivers who practice these bad habits put themselves, your fleet, and others on the road at risk. Accidents caused by these bad driving habits also put you at risk for increased liability and can damage your reputation.
3. Lack of Vehicle Maintenance
Vehicle maintenance is an essential part of keeping a fleet running.
Putting off vehicle maintenance causes issues to compound and leads to more breakdowns, which costs you more in the long run. It also puts your drivers at risk and can increase your susceptibility to fines and lawsuits if something goes wrong while a vehicle is out on the road.
Failure to follow DOT regulations for vehicle safety and maintenance can be expensive, leading to fines and litigation in addition to taking the offending vehicles off the road.
How to Mitigate Fleet Risks
Now that we understand the most common risks to your fleet, what can you do to prevent them?
1. Fleet Safety Program
Start by establishing a fleet safety program. Carefully vet drivers for safety-mindedness and establish a strong training program. Once they’re behind the wheel, track drivers to ensure they’re driving safely and in compliance with company policies.
The safety program should also include a comprehensive maintenance plan and schedule to ensure every vehicle in the fleet is in top working order.
2. Fleet Management Technology
Modern technology makes it easier than ever to track your fleet. Keep track of vehicle locations at all times with GPS to prevent theft. Track your drivers’ braking, speeding, and other driving metrics to prevent bad habits from cropping up.
Make it a point to stay in touch with your drivers while they’re in the field, and use collected vehicle analytics to plan your maintenance schedules.
Want to Know More About How to Reduce Fleet Risks?
Learning how to prevent risks to fleets is vital in today’s fast-moving business world. Fleet management technology can help you prevent these risks to your fleet and achieve success. Contact us today to find a fleet management solution that fits the size and needs of your company.
