Page 35 - Logistics News - Issue 02 - 2024

D RIVER SAFE T Y

• Consider the installation of AI dash cameras in your • Plan routes in advance; share these with somebody who
fleet. Not only can this give you a remote view of both can keep tabs on progress and vary routes if driving
road and in-cab activity via a managed live look-in regularly between the same origin and destination.
service, but the camera’s AI technology can help
mitigate vehicle theft by monitoring facial recognition In addition to a strong focus on driver safety, here’s
and can help prevent accidents by monitoring driver a few additional points for consideration around vehicle
behaviour such as drowsiness or excessive speeding and cargo safety in relation to current business vehicle
by alerting both the driver and fleet manager. crime trends:
• Sign up to a service through your vehicle tracking • Tracking and theft retrieval is not just for vehicles, but also
service provider or insurer that delivers armed motorcycles and trailers. Ensure that your fleet tracking
guards to your driver’s exact location within minutes and recovery solution takes these into account.
whenever a roadside emergency arises. Whether • If your vehicle features keyless entry via the use of a
involved in an accident or dealing with a tyre blowout fob, a Faraday pouch is recommended for your driver
or breakdown, your driver, vehicle and cargo will to store the fob when the vehicle is parked. Relay entry
benefit from an armed guard, who will wait with your attacks are becoming commonplace. These attacks
driver until he or she has been assisted and is back on involve a criminal discreetly following a driver when
the road again. the vehicle is parked as collections or deliveries are
• An in-cab assist button is a handy feature that executed. When within range of the driver, the fob
facilitates an alert to fleet managers from a driver, signal can be amplified to a criminal counterpart
prompting a call-back. This feature functions in waiting at the vehicle in the street or parking lot, who
conjunction with the telematics unit and does not rely can then open and start the vehicle and drive away in
on the driver having a cell phone or available airtime a matter of seconds, along with any merchandise in
when requiring assistance. transit.
• A journey-sharing feature is helpful to track drivers
and keep an eye on their progress and route. If the The degree of technological innovation from reactive
route deviates from plan or if journey progress stalls, to proactive and then pre-emptive vehicle tracking has
steps can be taken to ascertain the safety of the impacted positively on driving down the rate of vehicle
driver, vehicle and cargo and initiate assistance if crime, yet criminal syndicates have also become more
required. resourceful and highly sophisticated. We encourage
• Ensure vehicles are regularly and optimally businesses to heed the escalation in business vehicle-
maintained to avoid engine or tyre problems en route. related crime and to adopt proactive behaviours that
A breakdown creates a vulnerable situation for both could help mitigate vehicle theft, cargo theft and, above
driver and cargo. all, protect drivers. •

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