FleetGuardian® – Prevent Distracted Driving

The Statistics

9 people in the U.S. are killed each day as a result of road traffic accidents involving a distracted driver, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Driving is a daily activity for many and before the arrival of mobile phones, people would concentrate solely on the job at hand – driving. Now, there are 3,287 deaths each day due to fatal car crashes and on average, 9 of these daily fatalities are related to distracted driving. The sad thing is that these deaths are all preventable.

Safeguard Your Fleet

Distracted driving is a complex issue within today’s society, affecting drivers across all age groups and all vehicle types. Approximately 660,000 drivers use their cell phones while driving during daylight hours, creating a large potential for crashes and fatalities. For companies who run fleets of vehicles this is a major concern.

Handsfree Group have the solution. They have just become the authorized reseller for FleetGuardian® in North America.

FleetGuardian® prevents manual and visual mobile phone distractions while driving with its secure safety box, where drivers place their cell phone out of sight and reach resulting in, no texting, no holding, no reaching, no dialling – actions which all create avoidable risk. All are banned for commercial motor vehicle drivers under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations.

Enhanced Safety for the Connected Driver

FleetGuardian® is built for the driver who needs to stay connected, and companies that are serious about safety.

With FleetGuardian® you’ll be able to gain insight into driver mobile usage compliance. Set the goal, monitor progress, and identify both at risk and high performing drivers. FleetGuardian® delivers the power to set safety goals and identify risk through real-time driver behavior data whilst providing accurate transportation intelligence to mitigate driver risk for your company resulting in fewer costly accidents.

Stay Connected In Compliance

FleetGuardian® offer a bundled solution which includes a powerful Bluetooth® speakerphone, enabling drivers to answer and reject calls with simple voice commands. Keep driver workflow in compliance with all federal and state regulations with the one-button dialing feature, while the driver’s mobile phone stays out of sight and reach. Productivity doesn’t need to come at the expense of safety. Let FleetGuardian® and Handsfree Group standardize mobile communications for your entire fleet.

Stay connected. Stay in compliance. Stay safe while driving.

For more information on FleetGuardian® and to arrange a demo, contact Handsfree Group today.

Electric Vehicles, We Have Always Been Ready

EV’s

The electric vehicle market is experiencing record sales. The list of EV manufacturers is growing and the future of the automobile is looking to be one powered purely by electric.

As we are encouraged to start the transition to all electric vehicles, what does this mean for the future of vehicle technology? The message from Handsfree Group is “we have always been ready”.

The Technology

Like with any new vehicle, no matter what is powering and turning the wheels, the technology that helps us to drive, communicate, stay safe and protect our vehicle is a high priority for most when looking to make that all important purchase.

Handsfree Group have a wealth of experience in fitting a wide range of vehicle technology solutions to EV’s that further improve the driving experience.

Size Does Matter

When a vehicle is purely electric, its fundamental to ensure all parts are lightweight and low current draw to ensure you get the best battery performance. Handsfree Group have a proven vehicle technology portfolio that takes all these aspects into consideration.

Safety

Handsfree Group have a specific range of products for Electric Vehicles, a lot of which are open cab.

For example:

Waterproof interior & exterior cameras.
Sunlight readable monitors to give better open cab visibility.
White noise directional motor alarms

Battery Management from Datalive Telematics

Handsfree Group’s Datalive division offers an EV Battery Management suite with the following features:

EV Battery Levels

Remotely monitor real time battery charge levels.

EV Charge Times

Insight to vehicles that are ready to go, or charge time remaining.

EV Battery Condition

View battery conditions and closely monitor units nearing end of life.

EV Battery Performance

Visibility of overall battery performance with end of life alerts

Security

Vehicle theft and the loss of valuable cargo can be disruptive for any business. It’s common knowledge that EV’s are expensive, therefore being at a high risk of theft. Handsfree Group can install a range of products that effectively deters criminals, whatever their intentions.

Datalive Tracking solutions for EV’s:

SVR (Stolen Vehicle Recovery)

Datalive telematics tracks a vehicle’s whereabouts so it can be recovered quickly.

Protect EV Battery theft

Datalive telematics can be integrated into the vehicle battery. Sudden power loss is instantly detected and alerted.

Ghost Immobiliser

Anti-Hijack protection so the vehicle can only be driven for a certain short distance without the driver’s key.

If you already own, or are thinking of purchasing a fleet of, Electric Vehicles and you would like more information on the products and services Handsfree Group can offer to improve communication, safety and security for you and your fleet, please contact us to arrange a meeting and full demonstration.

Connected products for the new Mercedes Benz Sprinter

Connected Vehicle Products

In one of our previous blogs from the UK, (New Mercedes Sprinter Van is coming…and Handsfree Group are ready for it!) we outlined the products that will even further enhance the driving experience of the new Mercedes Sprinter. We also have a full range of connected products available from Handsfree Group for the new vans.

Datalive your new Sprinter vans

Datalive helps fleet managers improve the efficiency, protection and safety of their drivers and vehicles, while significantly improving their fleets green credentials.

We give customers the intelligence needed to optimise their fleet performance, by customising our modular vehicle data solutions to meet their exact requirements. Our experience ranges from designing fully integrated telematics solutions to basic single feature systems.

Datalive Telematics

Our versatile Datalive telematics solutions are modular. Our specialist team build custom systems for our customers, that meet a companies exact requirements – so we are fully prepared for the new Mercedes Sprinter fleets.

Datalive Telematics Solutions:

Live Tracking

improving customer response and delivery times with better MPG, improved green credentials, increased productivity and more responsible drivers, whilst eliminating unauthorised vehicle usage and reducing insurance premiums.

Geofence

Our team of specialists help fleet managers enhance security, improve utilisation, increase efficiency and support compliance, by setting up geofences.

Driver ID

Get visibility of exactly who is driving any given vehicle and their precise location. Optimise your resources, while maintaining your duty of care by using Datalive Driver ID.

Reporting

Reduce fuel consumption and operating costs by configuring multi-dimensional custom reports on several vehicle and driver performance aspects, through the Datalive Performance & integration reporting suite.

Remote Safety

Protect the welfare of vulnerable or lone workers while ensuring goods are being transported safely and correctly. Datalive monitors all driver activity and critical vehicle data. Fleet managers can easily analyse real-time or historical vehicle information.

Communication

Deliver timely information to drivers in an efficient, responsible and legally compliant way. Working together, Datalive telematics and in-vehicle onboard diagnostics can report highly accurate information about the performance of your drivers, vehicles and their engines.

Efficiency Reporting

Maximise the efficiency of any driver and vehicle over a specified timeframe, by using the Datalive Telematics customisable reporting suite.

Driver behaviour

Manage risk, and fulfil your ‘duty of care’ obligations for drivers. The Datalive driver behaviour module scores driving style and identifies those people driving efficiently.
Monitor aggressive or defensive driver styles of individuals or group with applied risk scoring.
Datalive driver behaviour provides you with the information you need to target training precisely where it is required, as well as reward and encourage safe driving.

Datalive – Fleet Management Tools

Fleet Management Tools from Datalive helps operators diagnose and report any issues that may impact transport efficiency, by checking vehicle compliance and recording critical fleet management information

Comprising of an extensive app and configurable I.T solution, Fleet Management Tools effectively helps fleet managers perform the audits and checks necessary to ensure a safe and optimised operation.

Datalive’s fleet management system includes defect reporting, vehicle check, fleet check and depot audits.

Fleet Management Tools Solutions:

Defect report tool

App on Android and IOS to help fleet operators keep on top of vehicle technology and equipment. Defects on vehicles are often overlooked because it can be timely to report a problem or defect. This app makes it simple.

Vehicle check tool app

Designed to eliminate paperwork. Now fleet managers can be sure that all vehicles are checked on a daily basis. Safety and damage checks set daily and alerted if not completed. The app will not allow a user to move to another vehicle until a full 360 degree check has been completed.

Vehicle check audit tool

Designed for fleet managers, engineers and auditors. The App is similar to the Vehicle Check Tool, however it means any vehicle can be checked across the whole fleet and is specifically used to report on anomalies.

Depot audit tool

Vehicle maintenance is integral to an efficient transport operation, it’s important to check regularly that all the tools are in the right place.
Within the Vehicle Audit Checking, there is an additional tool for auditing the depot. This tool is an interactive electronic list of check items to inspect within the depot.

Get in touch to demo Datalive today!

SmartWitness – Video Telematics

It goes without saying that vehicles come a close second to property in being the most expensive purchases an individual or business will make, so we should invest in protecting them. Protection of our vehicles, and ourselves, is becoming increasingly necessary although largely ignored, until recently.

The SmartWitness Solution

SmartWitness were the pioneers in creating the first commercial grade dash camera and are now recognized by Industry authorities as being the “partner of strength” in the field of in-vehicle CCTV and digital recording. SmartWitness have been providing in-vehicle cameras to fleet operators and private individuals since 2007. Today, SmartWitness are responsible for the protection of over 250,000 vehicles around the world covering in excess of 35 million miles every day.

Competitive Benefits

With products available for all types of vehicles, ranging from trucks, school buses and cars, the installation of a SmartWitness system offers Fleet Managers:

Proven Reduction of Accident Frequency
Proven Reduction to Loss Ratios
Improved Driving Behavior, Increased Fuel Economy
Defend Against Driving Offense Allegations
Mitigation of Whiplash/Personal Injury Claims
Added Security & Theft Deterrent
Increased Speed of Claim Resolution
Possible Reduction in Insurance Premiums

Award Winning

SmartWitness is a world leading designer, manufacturer, and supplier of in-vehicle cameras, recorders, and software, and here are a few reasons why:

HD Evidence Captured – High-Definition cameras capture crystal clear images of the interior & exterior the vehicle.
GPS Location Recorded – Built-in GPS provides vehicle location, driving route, vehicle speed, & heading information.
Network Connected – Cellular connectivity provides real-time images, live location, and on-demand HD video upload.
Event & Driver Analysis – Detailed telemetry data enables accurate scoring for driver coaching purposes and reducing claims.

Business, Fleet and Driver Protection

SmartWitness keeps an eye and ear on valuable assets – the driver, the vehicle and the cargo. It does this whilst also recording crucial evidence from any road events. SmartWitness benefits all parties involved in road accidents – Drivers, Insurers and Employers.

SmartWitness doesn’t just rely on design and software to produce accurate results, technology is sourced from industry leaders such as Bosch and Sony.

SmartWitness systems are designed to be automated and tamper-resistant. Recorded data is protected by the vehicle integration technology & securely locked hardware and therefore maintains integrity and is at low risk of theft or manipulation.

Testimonial

“The SmartWitness camera has been nothing short of outstanding for our business. We finally have a reliable and affordable camera system, in our fleet of almost 100 vehicles, that we use regularly for quality control purposes. I am also very impressed with the variety of options available in these systems. From their sales team, to the finished product and customer support, every aspect of this company has been outstanding and a pleasure to work with.”

Joseph Manganelli,
Advantage Transit Group

If you would like further information on this product or would like to arrange a demonstration, please contact us.

#dontdrinkanddrive

Handsfree Group experience increased demand for Alcolock®GB

Tragedy

The news of the fatal M1 crash on August Bank Holiday weekend involving a Minibus and two HGVs, where eight people sadly lost their lives, was tragic.

The whole incident became preventable when news broke that the two HGV drivers involved had been charged with causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving, especially as one of the HGV drivers also faces charges relating to drink-driving and had been asleep for 12-and-a-half minutes!

The Facts

The crash, near Newport Pagnell, resulted in the death of eight out of the twelve minibus passengers after the vehicle collided with two HGVs.

AIM Logistics driver Ryszard Masierak was accused of having 55 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath after the crash (the legal limit is 35 micrograms). He has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and death by careless driving.

FedEx driver David Wagstaff, from Stoke-on-Trent, was charged with causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

The Impact

Following the crash, Alcolock®GB and Handsfree group have found enquiries from hauliers for the Alcolock DS10 breathalyser have increased.

The life-saving device connects to a vehicle’s immobiliser and disables the vehicle if the driver is over the limit, which is recorded by the driver providing a breath sample prior to Alcolock®GB DS10 enabling the vehicles ignition system.

Alcolock®GB operational director Diane Whittock commented: “We had a spike in enquiries from hauliers following the crash – mainly from firms that have shown an interest and are now going to order it. We find that happens a lot – people tend to bury their heads in the sand and when something like this happens they decide it is money well spent.” Whittock said sales to hauliers have increased by 25% over the past 12 months, but added: “That’s not enough. Only 10% of our customers are from the haulage sector, and those that do fit our device tend to be the larger hauliers. But you can’t put a price on reputation.”

Further to these comments from operations director Whittock, insurers have also commented that using breathalysers could help firms in the event of an accident, which mitigates risk and could result in lower insurance premiums.

The Questions

Like with most new technology, there are always questions, questions about the safety, the durability, does it work? With the Alcolock®GB comes some slightly different questions:

– “What if a driver over the limit got someone else to blow into the device?”

– “Using the device could surely affect staff morale?”

– “Could Installing these devices raise issues of trust?”

One question could be: “Would you ask these questions to the family of a deceased drink drive victim?”…Cure Before Kill…