If you own or manage a company that has its own fleet of cars or trucks, you know how costly it can be. From maintenance to insurance and everything in between, having company vehicles can add up.
While your company’s drivers should aim to remain alert on the roads and use defensive driving techniques, it’s not possible to control his or her reaction time or level of focus. Advancements in technology, however, can mean safer travels for your drivers. Though these features shouldn’t be relied upon entirely, implementing them can certainly make a difference. Check out these 4 technology features that can make driving safer for your fleet.
Lane-Departure Warning
The lane-departure warning (LDW) will beep to notify a driver if he or she is crossing a lane marking without the turn signal engaged. If a driver gets distracted and begins to veer toward another lane, this system can give them enough notice to readjust. Some vehicles may even have a tactile alert, such as a vibration of the steering wheel or seat.
Backup Cameras
Backup cameras provide a clear view of what’s behind the vehicle while backing up. They allow the driver to see anything that may be underneath the back of the vehicle or below the rear window. The camera screen located on the dashboard also displays colored lines to help guide the driver to back up without error.
Automatic Emergency Braking
Spending hours on the road—whether it’s on the highway or in town—can mean enduring quite a bit of traffic. The automatic emergency braking (AEB) system is able to sense potential collisions and will immediately engage the brakes if the driver doesn’t react in time. This system is so helpful for situations where a car might come to an unexpected stop on the road.
Safe Driving Mode for Smartphones
There are countless apps for iPhones, Androids and Samsungs that will turn on a driving mode setting that will silence the phone while the car is in motion. These apps can block texts messages and phone calls that come through, and they can send automated responses to anyone who does attempt to contact the driver. There are even apps that use the vehicle’s GPS to detect how fast the car is moving. Once the vehicle reaches a certain speed, the app is activated and will silence the phone.
A Final Note
According to truck accident lawyers in Indiana, driver error is one of the most common causes of wrecks. By utilizing advancements in technology, it’s possible to make driving much safer for those in your fleet. If your company requires vehicles of its own, consider these ways that technology can improve driver safety.