Using Vehicle Tracker Systems to Prevent Fleet Misuse

If you're running a fleet of vehicles, it can be all too easy for your employees and yourself to adopt a casual 'out of sight, out of mind' approach to business. You have to be able to trust your employees to do the job that they're paid to do. But that doesn't always constitute a sound business model, and vehicle tracking systems offer you an extra layer of security, just to be sure.

Using vehicle tracking isn't just a way of keeping tabs on your fleet drivers and preventing fleet misuse. They can also represent a sound investment into your business and a way of optimising fleet efficiency, as well as stopping unauthorised usage of company vehicles outside working hours. GPS tracking uses a triangulating algorithm to give the precise location of any vehicle it is fitted to. GPS devices are small, lightweight and easily fitted to your fleet vehicles. The information the vehicle tracker sends back to your control centre can not only tell you exactly where your vehicles are at any one time - they can also provide you with detailed information about the use of the vehicle, speed, fuel usage and a wealth of other information. This can all be incorporated into your fleet management plan to maximise efficiency, plan the most effective routes for collections and deliveries and actually reduce costs in the long term.

But for preventing the misuse of company vehicles, vehicle tracking systems give you an 'eye in the cab' of every vehicle. Apart from unauthorised usage (which can be easily traced as the GPS devices will tell you if the vehicles are being used out of normal working hours), GPS tracking can also give you information about the speed of vehicles. Not only does speeding use up more fuel and subsequently increase your costs, but it is also dangerous and illegal. Despite the 'How's my driving' stickers on the back of many company vehicles, the public is often reluctant to report dangerous driving or excessive speeding. By incorporating GPS tracking into your fleet management programme, you can get this data direct from the vehicles themselves. This gives you the ability to talk to drivers who are constantly speeding or driving in a manner that may cause concern. Remember; your drivers represent your company. If your drivers are misusing the vehicles, it will ultimately reflect badly on your company's reputation as a responsible organisation. The cost element is also important - major fleets that have used GPS tracking systems have been able to reduce their annual fuel bill by up to 40%, thanks to the information provided by vehicle tracking systems.

Fitting GPS tracking to your fleet vehicles can also help to recover stolen vehicles much more quickly, minimising the impact to your business. GPS tracking will be able to notify you of any unauthorised movement outside working hours, allowing you to inform the Police far earlier of stolen vehicles and maximising the chances of recovering the vehicle undamaged. It also benefits your company financially, as insurance brokers often offer substantial insurance discounts for fleets fitted with what are considered to be anti-theft devices such as GPS tracking systems.

Incorporating vehicle tracking systems into your fleet management is an excellent way to protect the company's substantial investment in its fleet, minimise inappropriate usage and maximise efficiency at the same time.