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How To Start A Driver Performance Program

Telematics has the potential to transform fleet management, not least in the realm of driver behaviour. By monitoring driver behaviour fleet managers can improve safety and fuel efficiency and bring down the cost of car insurance. The data collected by telematics can reduce wear and tear on vehicle tyres, engines and transmissions, as well as aid the effective management of driver workload and stress.

But the idea of monitoring driver behaviour can sometimes unsettle the people who are most important in all of this – the drivers themselves. They can feel like it is an intrusion, or that they are being spied on. The drivers often drive 2000 miles per month, so might find the suggestion that their driving style could be improved a little insulting.

How To Start A Driver Performance Program

The reality is, this sort of data collection can greatly improve the work lives of drivers but it must be sold to them first.

Protect Driver Data

What needs to be made very clear to drivers is the limits to the data that will be collected, precisely what it will be used for, and what this could mean for them. A data contract, which clearly spells out the telematics program, is a good idea. Driver training or re-training should also heavily feature telematics so they can clearly see the benefits. These include automated time and distance recording, optimised driving routes that minimise stress, better vehicle performance and better workload management.

With GDPR’s introduction in 2018, organisations must receive clear consent from anyone they store data on. This includes employees – so the sooner you can encourage your drivers to sign a data contract the better.

Empower Your Drivers

It’s vital not to introduce a driver performance program in a negative manner. It must be made clear that you aren’t threatening your drivers, nor accusing them of being bad drivers.

The best way to properly explain what the program entails and why you’re doing it is by holding workshops to talk through the benefits and listen without judgement to any concerns or questions. This will help your drivers not to feel like the telematics system is an imposition. It will help you frame it as a way to improve performance without too many negative connotations.

Incentivise Your Drivers

Finally, a great way to get driver buy-in is to create positive incentives for improving performance. Bonuses and benefits can be given out to drivers who successfully reach and maintain driver performance targets, and can even establish a little friendly competition among the driving staff.

Gamification is a well-known way to encourage human beings to put their efforts to something, and creating a points system or league table does just that. To make it feel more real-time, there are products that can give drivers feedback while they’re on the road.

 

If you do these three things, you’ll find it much easier to get driver buy-in for a performance program driven by telematics. If you’d like to know more about how technology can help you manage the challenges facing you today, get in touch to find out about our range of state-of-the-art telematics products.

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