Fleet-monitoring systems keeping drivers in check

Sheldon Williams, Gleaner Writer

Driver monitoring remains important to companies which seek to ensure the safety of designated drivers assigned to their fleet. KingAlarm and Columbus Communications are two companies which focus on monitoring.

Gail Abrahams, director, corporate communications for Columbus Communications, operators of the Flow brand, told Automotives that several strategies are used to enhance safety. "These include the use of 'How is my Driving?' stickers, as well as remote electronic monitoring of all our vehicles," she said.

Abrahams said that the methods have been successful. "These strategies have proven to be very effective as, in addition to achieving a low level of negative reports, with the use of the electronic monitoring mechanism we are able to take proactive steps to curtail those practices that are inconsistent with the road code," she said.

John Azar, managing director of KingAlarm, said his company does not have a 'How is my Driving?' sticker programme, but the contact number and name of the company are prominently displayed on all fleet units.

"All our operations and technical vehicles have the company name and number clearly affixed. In letters to our over 10,000 clients we do solicit feedback, especially in instances where any reckless activities are detected on the roads involving any of our vehicles," he said.

Few complaints

Azar said complaints are few and far between, because the drivers are well trained and display professionalism on the roads. "Considering the number of vehicles we operate and the nature of our job, which involves getting from one place to another in the shortest possible time, I would have to say that complaints are minimal. Our drivers are well trained in defensive driving and properly certified, so I think this also contributes to the low rate of complaints," he said.

However, he identified overtaking as the most frequent complaint, but reasoned that most motorists usually understand that it is necessary. "Drivers overtaking lines of traffic - that said, many road users understand it is not boorish behaviour generally speaking, but response teams trying to get to the scene of a possible incident as quickly as possible," Azar said.

He said KingAlarm uses state-of-the-art equipment to ensure complaints are valid.

"We have a great system. All our vehicles and bikes have vehicle-tracking systems installed, and we are now in the process of installing dashboard cameras as well. This allows us to recreate exactly what took place, including the driver's speed, if they were on an alarm signal, and so on. It also helps us to know if where the complainant said our vehicle was, it was in fact at that point," Azar said.