Preparing your fleet for crisis: 5 essential steps

The lifeblood of a fleet lies in its vehicles and drivers. This is why it’s crucial to protect both assets, especially during a crisis. The problem is, most fleet managers tend to feel overwhelmed and dazed whenever something terrible happens. Of course, blanking out during times of crisis is a normal reaction.

This is why you need to set up a plan for emergencies even before they happen. This is what you call fleet risk management. Fleet managers need to set up a system to react accordingly during times of crisis and possibly stop problems before they occur. If you’re in the process of setting up your own system, here are five essential steps you need to include.

Step #1: Implement Telematics as Part of Fleet Management

The best way to deal with a crisis is to prevent them from happening in the first place. However, one might wonder how this is possible since fleet managers can only do so much when drivers are out on their routes?

This is where telematics comes in. Telematics is the cumulative term for all tech that deals with the long-distance transmission of information. For fleets, this means using GPS fleet tracking systems, so you know what your drivers are up to, even when they’re out on their routes.

Telematics plays a massive part in crisis prevention. For example, a lot of fleet management systems detect reckless driving behavior. This allows you to see which drivers are more at risk for getting into traffic accidents.

Step #2: Turn Telematics Data Into Useful Policies

Telematics is a great thing, but this technology will go to waste if you don’t use it properly. Fleet tracking systems give you the information you need to make decisions for your fleet, so it’s best to use the data you’ve gathered to improve safety for your business.

For example, set standards when it comes to driver safety. Drivers who keep getting flagged by your fleet tracking system for dangerous driving behavior should be slated for re-training. Set company policies when it comes to speed limits, idle times, and driver safety scores.

Telematics can also result in reduced fleet insurance costs. Rideshur are one such example of a motor fleet insurance company that is making great use of telematics to achieve this.

Step 3#: Conduct Regular Vehicle Maintenance

When it comes to preventing accidents on the road, not everything is your drivers’ responsibility. As the fleet owner, you also need to ensure that the vehicles used by your drivers are dependable and roadworthy.

If you have a large fleet, consider getting an in-house maintenance team to ensure that someone is always at hand to fix vehicle-related problems.

Step #4: Invest in a Comprehensive Fleet Insurance Coverage

Even if your fleet is made up of drivers who prioritize safety on the road, you can’t guarantee that they won’t get into traffic accidents. You can’t control how other motorists on the road will act, which is why you need a safety net in the form of sound and reliable insurance coverage.

As a fleet owner, the last thing you need is to worry about vehicle repair costs and provide the best medical care for your drivers. Fleet insurance will take care of this so that if a crisis ever occurs in your fleet, your driver can focus on recuperating, and your business can bounce back quickly.

Step #5: Have A Crisis Response System

Device a response system in case something terrible happens to one of your vehicles while on the road. Drivers should be equipped with a means of primary means of communication. They should also have an alternative means of communication if they are held at gunpoint or are rendered unconscious after a traffic accident. Your crisis system should ensure that you ensure the safety of your drivers above all else.

Fleet risk management is an essential aspect of any business that deals with vehicles and drivers. Finding ways to minimize the risks while on the road and swift crisis response are vital to reducing the damage caused by emergencies.