Financial services company Zurich are already working with commercial fleet customers to develop a ‘driver indexing’ program, which applies a comprehensive driver history algorithm to identify those drivers with the most problematic safety history.

This algorithm is coupled to a driver coaching and mentoring tracking mechanism and then deployed to front-line supervisors, who are charged with intervening with identified ‘at risk’ drivers.

Blackburn added: “This is a sign that responsibilities are shifting, fleet risk managers are learning that real improvements in safety can be achieved by addressing the factors that most impact the driving culture: attitude and awareness.

“And there is increasing evidence supporting the idea that instilling a safety ethos is actually good business – saving thousands of pounds per year per driver. This is a clear case of where an ounce of prevention can save lives and money.”

Navman Wireless believes that driving culture (attitude and awareness) are the cornerstones for ethos-shared safety principles that guide and inspire permanent changes in safety performance.

Underpinning this new safety ethos should be a strategy to empower fleet managers to proactively make a dramatic improvement in driving safety.

Technology provides an unbiased evaluation of every manoeuvre of every driver, so fleets can engage in a proactive and preventative safety program, says Navman.

It believes management commitment, cultural change and employee buy-in are all key elements to successful implementation of a telematics solution.

“Telematics systems are not employed to expose the incompetent”, said Blackburn. “No company will knowingly put a demonstrably incompetent driver behind the wheel of one of its vehicles. However, the specific, objective data telematics systems generate can significantly heighten awareness of unsafe driving habits, and provide impetus and direction for taking actions to improve.

“The secondary benefits, fuel and maintenance costs, make for a healthier bottom line for the company. Particularly in today’s difficult economic times, the financial health of the company resonates with employees at all levels, and can be a strong motivating force.”

Data on its own is of little value, how that data is actually delivered, interpreted and put to use is the key to improving safety for fleet personnel, increasing the fleet’s operating profitability and reducing its environmental impact.

The overriding message is clear - invest in the preventative measures that are proven to reduce the risk or severity of road injury and invest in the people and the skills that can provide sustainable paths to safety.