SmartDrive
There are several reasons to be particularly vigilant about fleet safety in the run up to Christmas – and even more so during the holiday season. Here are our top eight. 1. Peak volumes. Easter might still win for sheer freight volumes in some sectors, however, Christmas volumes present substantial challenges. According to CBRE, the […]
The food and beverage industry faces unique challenges when it comes to safety. As a result, fleets take managing risk and operating safely very seriously— not only to ensure the safety of their employees and the general public, but also for the secure transportation and delivery of the products they’re hauling. That’s why SmartDrive is […]
As stated in our previous two blog posts, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) prioritized 10 issues that surfaced in its 16th annual survey. In our last blog post, we focused on Truck Parking. This post focuses on Insurance Cost and Insurance Availability. It’s likely everyone knows why. Insurance Costs first appeared on the Top […]
As stated in our previous post, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) prioritized 10 issues that surfaced in its 16th annual survey. In our last blog post, we focused on driver shortage, retention and compensation. This post focuses on Truck Parking. Why? 5.3% of fatal crashes involved a parked or working large truck. 1 Since […]
As the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) states in their 2020 Critical Issues Report … “The year 2020 can unequivocally be described as the most chaotic and unpredictable time period in many decades. In the course of several months, the U.S. economy spiraled from new records in consumer sales growth, low unemployment, industry-favorable trade agreements, […]
All you need to do to understand what drives Mark Woody, SmartDrive Strategic Customer Success Manager, is to ask him a question. Any question! His passion, enthusiasm and exuberance are palpable. No matter how you describe it, Mark is in it to win it and “good enough is never good enough.” Mark’s passion is never […]
Although there’s only one more week in Distracted Driving Awareness Month, it’s more important than ever to stay alert. Particularly because clocks change immediately after the month ends (November 1) – making driving even more dangerous. AND … if that’s not enough reason to be careful … clocks change on Halloween eve! Although many neighborhoods […]
SmartDrive customers lucky enough to have Marty Fletcher as their Customer Success Manager (CSM) know how fortunate they are. With years of experience and a passion that goes beyond simply helping his customers, Marty remains a standard bearer for safety in the trucking industry. Because of his experience, knowledge and willingness to help others, he […]
Stacy Sadar, Regional Sales Manager at SmartDrive, was recently named to the Ohio Trucking Association’s (OTA) Board of Directors. Focusing on enhancing the public image and economic growth of its members by promoting safety, innovation and professionalism, OTA is the voice for hundreds of fleets. Stacy is one of those voices supporting the fleets that […]
Everything can be a distraction. Whether it be … … just a quick call … just an email … just a short trip … just a glance … just one drink … just a text … just a picture … […]
“You bet!” Mike Posz, Safety Director at Fraley & Schilling, commented enthusiastically. “Like everyone, the pandemic hit us hard. But we changed our business model and have come back better and stronger. This safety achievement is just one piece of the success pie.” Safety is critical to Fraley & Schilling’s business. Unfortunately, once COVID-19 hit, […]
Nearly every aspect of daily life is made possible because a truck driver delivered the goods and resources our country needs. This has been made even more clear during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on everyone’s life. That’s why this year’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW) is taking on special significance. It’s an […]
With National Truck Driver Appreciation Week fast approaching, there’s no better time than now to thank two stand-out drivers and show our appreciation for the work they do to ensure essential goods and services are delivered today … and everyday … without delay. Throughout its more than 25-year history, Service Transport (STI) of Greer, SC, […]
When thinking about safety, it’s important to focus on all facets of your fleet … starting with your drivers and company culture. From there, you can move to the vehicle – engine, tires, mirrors, wipers, brakes, etc. Like a house of cards, no one item is more important than the other. Without ensuring each is […]
In my previous blog post, I illustrated how the methodology presented could be used in a real-world example – identifying vehicles unsafely parked along an interstate – and delivered in our new SmartDrive for Sitting Duck. In this post, I’ll show you how the same set of steps can be used to provide a solution […]
In my previous blog post, I presented a methodology which could be used to build an analytic solution. In this post I’ll use those steps to define a solution around a significant problem that exists today in the transportation industry: the unsafe parking of vehicles, also known as Sitting Duck. So, what is Unsafe Parking? […]
Every day, I’m asked, “How do you perform analytics on all the data being collected to, ultimately, impact your customers’ material business outcomes?” With data from hundreds of thousands of vehicles coming from on-board systems, our safety program and third-party data feeds, SmartDrive is in a unique position to provide intelligent data to help fleets […]
With Operation Safe Driver Week quickly approaching, fleet managers, safety managers and drivers need to be more vigilant than ever. During the weeklong traffic enforcement safety initiative, law enforcement personnel throughout North America will be looking for drivers who engage in unsafe driving behaviors on the nation’s roadways; drivers identified displaying unsafe driving will be pulled […]
In our recent webinar, 10 Actions You Can Take Today to Avoid Skyrocketing Insurance Premiums, four industry professionals provided their insights to help fleets avoid increasing premiums today … and in the future. SmartDrive spent some time with Matthew Rathje, Vice President of Risk Solutions, TrueNorth Companies, and delved further into his recommendations. Matt has over […]
In our recent webinar, 10 Actions You Can Take Today to Avoid Skyrocketing Insurance Premiums, four industry professionals provided their insights to help fleets avoid increasing premiums today … and in the future. SmartDrive spent some time with Chris Vogel, Senior Vice President, Cottingham & Butler and delved further into his recommendations. Chris leads the […]
In our recent webinar, 10 Actions You Can Take Today to Avoid Skyrocketing Insurance Premiums, four industry professionals provided their insights to help fleets avoid increasing premiums today … and in the future. SmartDrive spent some time with Ken Crippen, President & CEO, American Trucking and Transportation Insurance Company, a Risk Retention Group. ATTIC, RRG […]
As a leading innovator, SmartDrive is proud to be on this year’s Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s annual list of corporate leaders in the global supply chain. The SDCE 100 spotlights successful and innovative projects that deliver bottom-line value to small, medium and large enterprises across the range of supply chain functions. According to SDCE, […]
During these trying and unprecedented times, professionals across industries are stepping up—whether it’s grocery store employees ensuring store shelves are stocked, medical and healthcare professionals treating those affected, or truck drivers transporting freight of all kinds. As a small token of our continued appreciation for truck drivers, SmartDrive is recognizing the valiant efforts and sacrifices […]
Safety is more critical than ever. Why? There was a 14% year-over-year jump in fatality rates per miles driven in March 2020, while the actual number of miles driven dropped 18.6% compared to the same time period last year, according to early data reported by the National Safety Council (NSC). Even with the declining fatality […]
“We’re already seeing a payback from a cost standpoint and I think other folks will see the same.” Scott Groh, Fleet Manager, Arctic Glacier As business heats up in the summer months, Arctic Glacier is focused on a safety-first culture. Arctic Glacier is a packaged ice company that manufactures and delivers to 75,000 retailers across […]
Operating in the new normal means ensuring you have drivers for your vehicles. Whether it’s due to increased demand, drivers who are sick or simply dealing with the driver shortage the industry was experiencing before the pandemic, it’s important you do everything possible to hire safe drivers and train new drivers to be as safe […]
During these trying and unprecedented times, professionals across industries are stepping up—whether it’s grocery store employees ensuring store shelves are stocked, medical and healthcare professionals treating those affected, or truck drivers transporting freight of all kinds. As a small token of our continued appreciation for truck drivers, SmartDrive is recognizing the valiant efforts and sacrifices […]
As you’re probably aware, the coronavirus pandemic has prompted the federal government to temporarily suspend a trucking safety law that has been in place since 1938. The FMCSA has announced that those drivers who are moving goods “in support of emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks” will not have to follow the hours-of-service laws, which regulate […]
Before COVID-19, drivers were used to clogged highways, stopped vehicles and rush-hour traffic around big cities. But, with many people working from home, there are less commuters and far less vehicles on the road. In fact, a recent study reported a 30% drop in the number of vehicles on the road compared to the same […]
Now that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced that the agency’s Crash Preventability Determination Program has been made permanent, it’s more important than ever that fleets have a video safety program to prove that their driver was not at fault when involved in a crash. Emphasizing this point is the fact that, […]
As asked in last week’s blog, what is normal? While dealing with schedule changes, load changes and route changes, drivers are continually asked to do more and remain vigilant in every detail of their complicated job. That’s why it’s more important than ever to ensure drivers stay focused and not distracted when on the road […]
It’s been nearly a year since we had the opportunity to speak with Barbara Herman of K-Limited Carrier. Barbara was named the first female winner of the National Tank Truck Carrier’s Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year Award. We thought it would be good to catch up with this Toledo, Ohio native and learn […]
What is “normal?” Ideally, it’s the life we lived prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, now, with so much up in the air, what will normal look like after the pandemic for fleets? Will it vary from state to state and city to city as our country slowly awakens from its current state? Most importantly, […]
Looking for a fun and engaging way to thank your favorite trucker(s)? Take the Thank a Trucker family challenge! SmartDrive’s “Thank a Trucker Challenge” is for the families of truck drivers to show your love and support for our truckers on the front line. Whether it’s a father, mother, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, friend or […]
Although Distracted Driving Awareness Month has been postponed until October, distracted driving is still something everyone should be concerned about. As mentioned in our blog post earlier this month, one of the three types of distractions is cognitive distraction – when your mind wanders away from the task of driving. Unlike manual and visual distractions, […]
No matter how you say it, Thank You! The world has quickly come around to understanding that our truck drivers and transit operators are on the front lines of this latest pandemic. Every day they’re risking their lives, while saving ours, to ensure everyone has food, medicine and supplies. Having worked with these professionals for […]
Driver distractions are the leading cause of most vehicle collisions and near collisions. According to a study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), 80% of collisions and 65% of near collisions involve some form of driver distraction. In most instances, the distraction occurred within 3 […]
Unfortunately, in light of recent news, the excitement of college basketball playoffs has faded away. While not much can match the annual thrills associated with the single elimination NCAA tournament, there’s no doubt that what happens on the sidelines has significant implications for on-court play—and final standings. As always in this venerable Division 1 extravaganza, […]
According to SensiGuard, there was a 17% increase in the number of cargo thefts in the US in 2019, with an average loss value of $188,000. The firm notes that the volume increase was the first year-over-year increase since 2011. The most common form of theft was the theft of full truckload, which accounted for […]
Now that the big game is over and, whether your team, won or lost, it’s obvious that good coaching was key to the Kansas City Chiefs’ win. As John Madden, who led the Oakland Raiders to their Super Bowl win said, “Coaches have to watch for what they don’t want to see and listen to […]
As everyone knows, driving is dangerous. But, with increased travel, busy schedules and holiday activities, everyone’s stress level and fatigue increases. And, with more drivers on the highway and the U.S. Postal Service delivering 20.5 million packages per day through the remainder of the year, the opportunity for distractions also increases – even with distracted […]
For the sixth year in a row, SmartDrive Systems was named to Food Logistics’ FL100+ Top Software and Technology Providers List. SmartDrive’s repeated inclusion in the FL100+ validates our promise to deliver solutions that help fleets improve fleet safety, identify and reduce risk, exonerate commercial vehicle drivers and make better business decisions That’s probably why […]
Truckers are tired. And they’re driving when they shouldn’t. Unfortunately, it’s getting worse, not better. From 2010 to 2018, the prevalence of inadequate sleep — seven hours or less — increased from 30.9% of respondents in 2010 to 35.6% in 2018, according to a new study from Ball State University. In 2018, professions with the […]
This is the final installment in a series of videos produced by FreightWaves and SmartDrive, recorded at the recent SmartDrive Customer Conference in Atlanta. FreightWaves editor-at-large John Kingston discussed several key issues in trucking and transport today with both SmartDrive executives and several conference speakers. “Change management” and “change leadership” are two phrases that tend […]
This is another in a series of videos produced by FreightWaves and SmartDrive, recorded at the recent SmartDrive Customer Conference in Atlanta. FreightWaves editor-at-large John Kingston discussed several key issues in trucking and transport today with both SmartDrive executives and several conference speakers. Taking a company that has been known for cameras and developing it […]
This is another in a series of videos produced by FreightWaves and SmartDrive, recorded at the recent SmartDrive Customer Conference in Atlanta. FreightWaves editor-at-large John Kingston discussed several key issues in trucking and transport today with both SmartDrive executives and several conference speakers. “Where it comes to the unexpected” is where SmartDrive is targeting its […]
Today, SmartDrive announced it was named to FreightWaves’ FreightTech 100 list for the second consecutive year. SmartDrive is the only video-based safety provider to be named to this list of innovative companies. Our inclusion in the FreightTech 100 validates our promise to deliver solutions that help fleets improve fleet safety, identify and reduce risk, exonerate […]
This is another in a series of videos produced by FreightWaves and SmartDrive, recorded at the recent SmartDrive Customer Conference in Atlanta. FreightWaves editor-at-large John Kingston discussed several key issues in trucking and transport today with both SmartDrive executives and several conference speakers. A raw calculation of just money is not going to be enough […]
This is another in a series of videos produced by FreightWaves and SmartDrive, recorded at the recent SmartDrive Customer Conference in Atlanta. FreightWaves editor-at-large John Kingston discussed several key issues in trucking and transport today with both SmartDrive executives and several conference speakers. Cameras in the cab may show that a truck driver was at […]
This is the first in a series of videos produced by FreightWaves and SmartDrive, recorded at the recent SmartDrive Customer Conference in Atlanta. FreightWaves editor-at-large John Kingston discussed several key issues in trucking and transport today with both SmartDrive executives and various speakers at the conference. There isn’t going to be any room for technology […]
Carter Express, of Anderson, Indiana, is an international motor carrier and logistics company with 750 power units. It was founded in 1980 with three trucks and quickly grew and developed its Shared Milkrun – a large network of routes, partners and facilities that work together to create greater supply chain efficiency – which is a […]
In our previous ATRI initiatives blog post, we discussed the ROI of truck safety technologies, specifically video safety. In this week’s post, we examine the impact of “nuclear” verdicts on trucking. First, what is a “nuclear verdict”? It’s a verdict in excess of $10 million. Between 2012-2015, there have been 12 verdicts totaling $900 million. […]
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, September 8-14, 2019, is when America takes the time to honor all professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment in tackling one of our economy’s most demanding and important jobs. These 3.5 million professional men and women not only deliver our goods safely, securely and on time, but they also keep our […]
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, September 8-14, 2019, is when America takes the time to honor all professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment in tackling one of our economy’s most demanding and important jobs. These 3.5 million professional men and women not only deliver our goods safely, securely and on time, but they also keep our […]
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, September 8-14, 2019, is when America takes the time to honor all professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment in tackling one of our economy’s most demanding and important jobs. These 3.5 million professional men and women not only deliver our goods safely, securely and on time, but they also keep our […]
In our last blog post, we focused on technology advances to help younger drivers if interstate driving becomes a reality. In light of ATRI’s list of 2019 initiatives, it’s important to continually look at evolving truck safety technologies and the ROI of each. Previously, ATRI focused on roll stability, forward collision warning and lane departure […]
In our last blog post, we examined going beyond mileage-based safety metrics. Continuing our series of diving deeper into ATRI’s top priorities of 2019, this week’s blog post examines safety in younger drivers in light of potential interstate driving. Due to the driver shortage, fleets are looking for innovative ways to recruit and retain drivers. […]
Earlier this year, ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee (RAC) identified six priority research topics for 2019, which were subsequently approved by ATRI’s Board of Directors. Interestingly, of the six, four are focused on safety-related issues: Rethinking mileage-based safety metrics Analyzing younger driver safety in intrastate driving Revising the ROI of truck safety technology Impact of “nuclear” […]
Operation Safe Driver Week is the perfect time to put your focus on speeding. Everyone knows it’s happening, but what can you do about it? Unfortunately, until now, you’ve never had a tool to actually see it. But with video, you get insights into WHY your drivers are speeding. By seeing speeding, you can eliminate […]
Everyone is talking about speeding. It’s headlines in our publications. On the news. In safety meetings. And the focus of Operation Safe Driver Week. Why? It’s dangerous. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual Safe Driver Week is this week. With a focus on speeding, what are you doing in your fleet to make it safer? […]
Last week’s blog post focused on analytics and their impact on coaching and your safety culture. This week’s post provides tips you can use today and take to the bank tomorrow! Five Tips to Take Your Driver Improvement Program to the Next Level Make it Personal Get to know each driver personally (soft skill), not […]
In our last blog post, we focused on the value of expert analysis and measurement in the coaching process. This week, we’ll focus on analytics and their role in coaching and impact on your safety culture. Advanced Analytics for Coaching A Managed Service program provides the information necessary to run an effective coaching program. There […]
In the last blog post, we discussed the importance of coaching and ensuring everyone is on the same page before starting the process. Once you start, it’s important to realize that triggering video is only the first step in the review process. Once a video is triggered, review by an expert analyst is a necessary […]
From the youngest age, to the end of their careers, people are coached – babies learning to walk, school children mastering a new skill or professional athletes looking to better their game. Coaching is a way of life. Yet, at some point in time, many people feel that they don’t need to improve – or […]
Humble and proud, Barbara Herman doesn’t tell the world that she was recently named the first female winner of the National Tank Truck Carrier’s Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year Award. But, plenty of people are taking notice. In fact, when it’s pointed out that she’s a celebrity, her response is, “I’m not a […]
A recent piece in Electronic Design says the next improvement in road safety will be gesture control – a way for motorists of advanced cars to control their infotainment systems with hand gestures rather than fiddling with buttons – which, as the piece points out, can cause the driver to take their eyes off the road, albeit […]
It’s time to join the 5G revolution. So we’ve been told. If you’ve seen the ads on television, providers are rolling out their 5G technology across the country, but trucking isn’t quite ready for 5G just yet. In fact, based on conversations, much of trucking is still not ready for 4G. Andy Leuthe, senior director […]
Every day – every month, at least nine Americans die and 100 are injured in distracted driving crashes. April, Distracted Driving Awareness Month, is the best time to focus your efforts on reducing distractions in your fleet. Cell phones, dashboard touchscreens, voice commands and other in-vehicle technologies pose a threat to our safety. Are the consequences […]
Recently, Nussbaum Transportation was named Best Overall Fleet in the small carrier category in this year’s 2019 Best Fleets to Drive For. Nussbaum has been named a Best Fleet to Drive For numerous times, but this year they were named Best Overall Fleet. SmartDrive sat down with Jeremy Stickling, Vice President of Human Resources and […]
Our last blog post focused on extending video safety beyond exonerations – protecting cargo from damage, preventing freight and vehicle theft, and improving driver satisfaction and retention. But, one of the biggest impacts that a video safety program can provide fleets is a reduction in insurance premiums. As Jeff Reed, President of Skyline Transportation acknowledges, […]
Everyone is familiar with using video to help improve driver performance and fleet safety – particularly when it comes to exonerating drivers when not at fault. Whether it be road and cab-facing, road-facing only or a 360-degree view around a vehicle, video is paramount to understanding what happened at the time of a driving incident […]
Central Oregon Truck Company recently drove the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, “The People’s Tree,” across the country. SmartDrive had the opportunity to speak with three people who drove the new Kenworth 990: Rick Williams, CEO; Phil Taylor, VP of Maintenance and Brad Aimone, Director, Driver Safety and Services. Many of the comments in this blog […]
According to executives at Lynden Transport, “Slow the Hell Down and Drive Defensively” is a crucial step in remaining safe on the road, especially during the upcoming winter months when driving conditions worsen. Of course, safety technology and a comprehensive safety program are defining factors for fleets looking to navigate the winter months unscathed. Lynden […]
In my blog post earlier this week, I mentioned that it’s important to remember that all of this discussion about convergence is not just about the equipment or the “promised land” of a single box. An information flood coming from these “connected” devices poses the added challenge of how to derive valuable insights from the […]
In a blog post earlier this year, I highlighted the top transportation trends to watch in 2018, which included the upsurge in data and hardware convergence. Elaborating on this trend, this post explores the importance of technology convergence in the trucking industry and what it means for fleets today, and in the future – particularly […]
I love BIG trucks! My passion for trucking started at a very young age, and as soon as I was exposed to big trucks, I immediately fell in love. I then fell in love with politics. (Love is fleeting.) From being a Senate Page while in high school to working as an intern with Senator […]
Everyone is familiar with using video to help improve driver performance and fleet safety. Whether it be road and cab-facing, road-facing only or a 360-degree view around a vehicle, video is paramount to understanding what happened at the time of a driving incident or for capturing mystery damage. But, it’s also important when theft occurs. […]
According to a new report from the American Transportation Research Institute, fleet operating costs increased to their highest levels since 2014, driven by recent rising fuel prices, and pay and benefit increases for drivers. The 2018 update to ATRI’s report, An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, shows that the average marginal cost per […]
There was a clear focus at last week’s APTA Annual Meeting on improving transit operations, enhancing safety and efficiency safety and efficiency, and embracing technologies that can help drive all of us forward. Front and center was SMS. Safety Management Systems (SMS) is a government-based system that will soon be mandated by the Federal Transit […]
When fleets consider adding video-based safety, one of the biggest questions they face is whether to install road-facing and cab-facing, road-facing only, or adding additional cameras to capture rear and side incidents (360 view). For Mike Ferry of O&G Industries, it was a no brainer. “We utilize the 360 feature because we are operating at […]
Many fleets looking to reduce risk and improve safety in their fleet think that, by simply installing cameras in their vehicles, everything will improve. What’s important to remember is that the camera is simply a means to an end; the key to success is coaching and scoring. Conico Oil General Manager, Dave Burrow, agrees. Headquartered […]
One of the hottest topics at this year’s SmartDrive Customer Conferences was driver incentive programs for driver recruiting and retention. And why not? With the ATA reporting the driver shortage at more than 50,000 drivers with a potential to climb to 174,000 by 2024, it’s no wonder that driver recruiting and retention are at the […]
Although the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Operation Safe Driver is celebrated in an annual one-week enforcement and educational blitz – celebrated July 15-21 this year – SmartDrive embraces and acknowledges safe driving every day of the year. Operation Safe Driver is a CVSA program aimed at reducing deaths and injuries involving large trucks, buses […]
The latest SmartDrive SmartIQ® Beat Snapshot analyzed and scored over 220 million events from the SmartDrive® database, with a particular focus on one of the most common and dangerous problem areas for drivers: speeding. Unsurprisingly, the Snapshot found several strong correlations connecting speeding with dangerous driving behavior, including collisions, lack of complete control of the […]
ATA has reported the driver shortage at more than 50,000 drivers with a potential to rise to 174,000 by 2024. With the average replacement cost per truck driver being approximately $12,000, losing current drivers significantly affects a fleet’s bottom line. For example, a fleet with 200 drivers and 80% driver turnover will have to spend […]
We’re halfway through Distracted Driving Awareness Month and distractions continue to cause collisions on our roads. A soon-to-be released SmartDrive SmartIQ® Beat reports that drivers who speed have a significantly higher propensity to be distracted while driving – more than 2.5x all other drivers. Not surprisingly, topping the list of distractions is mobile phones with food, […]
Although we should always be aware of distractions while driving, April is a time to take particular note since it’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month. One company that’s using this national event to bring more awareness of distracted driving and safety to its fleet is Penske Logistics, which is introducing the SmartDrive® video-based safety program, the […]
Adoption of video-based safety solutions is increasing rapidly across the industry, and for good reason. According to a recent AAA study, the use of video-based safety systems could prevent 63,000 crashes and 17,733 injuries annually. However, it’s not enough for fleets to simply install the hardware. Though a dash cam might capture a collision, this […]
Recently, the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and CarriersEdge announced the 2018 Best Fleets to Drive For. These for-hire trucking companies from across North America were recognized for providing exemplary work environments for their professional truck drivers and independent contractors. I’m happy to state that many of the winning fleets use the SmartDrive program as a […]
I wake up every day focused on building new ways to ensure drivers come home safely to their families. But, I’m not the only one. The entire team at SmartDrive is passionate about breaking new ground in transportation safety and analytics. As we consider effective and innovative ways to make fleets safer, we are always […]
Risk Comes from All Angles On any given day, there are approximately 660,000 drivers who check their phones while driving. Coupled with other distractions and road/traffic conditions, both passenger and commercial vehicles are at risk for collisions. One minute a passenger car may be in its own lane, but in sheer moments a distraction can […]
Ask 10 people what “transportation intelligence” means and you’ll get 10 different answers. For me, it’s the whole data craze that we’re currently experiencing—everything from the technology being added to the truck, to the data and analytics produced. It’s important to remember that your fleet can have the best technology, the most data and detailed […]
Manufacturers of commercial trucks are equipping their vehicles with smart sensors, telematics platforms, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and connectivity technology to help their customers reduce maintenance costs, boost productivity and improve driver safety. Frost & Sullivan’s Commercial Vehicle Telematics Group (CVTG) estimates by 2020 there will be more than 40 million connected trucks on the […]
Commercial truck drivers are the unsung heroes of the highway. They work a highly demanding job that is critical to our economy, and more often than not, do not receive the recognition they deserve. Additionally, the long hours and sedentary nature of trucking contribute to poor sleep habits and health. This can be a deadly […]
During my many years in the trucking industry, I found most commercial drivers are dedicated, conscientious professionals, who take their responsibility to operate safely very seriously. I’ve also determined that the best way to communicate with professional drivers is in a frank, honest and transparent way. They want and deserve to know, not only what […]
I recently led a Transport Topics webinar titled Video Safety: Your Best Witness in the Courtroom and on the Road. Hundreds of people attended and many questions arose: Do I need to revisit my data retention policy? Does video increase my preservation obligations? Am I required to coach drivers on risky behaviors, like close calls […]
The advances in video technology have made the use of video in all aspects of our daily lives simple and inexpensive. The cameras are smaller, can be set up without wires, don’t require tapes and have high- definition image quality. A quick search of YouTube will give you many examples of how video is documenting […]
In a recent post I discussed the importance of viewing safety through both a moral and a financial lens when making capital investment prioritization decisions. I also took the opportunity to highlight the emerging reality in post-crash litigation, that motor carriers and commercial drivers are often guilty until they prove themselves innocent. Finally, I tried […]
According to National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 10 percent of all fatal crashes are the result of distracted driving – at a cost of $129 billion annually. And, these incidents increase dramatically around Halloween. In fact, according to Safe Kids USA, twice as many child pedestrians are likely to be killed on […]
Being immersed in the ATA Management Conference & Exhibition for five days this week has given me a renewed perspective—and pride—about our industry, our people and our impact on our nation. According to a 2015 ATA report, our economy depends on trucks to deliver 10 billion tons of virtually every commodity consumed—over 80 percent of […]
This past Sunday marked the beginning of Operation Safe Driver Week—an annual event launched by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in 2007—to shine a spotlight on safety and help reduce the number of injuries and fatalities resulting from crashes involving large trucks, buses and cars. And with good reason. […]
Motor carrier executives must view their fleet safety through at least two lenses, both moral and financial. Moral lens: As transportation professionals, we have a moral obligation to both our professional drivers and, especially, to the motoring public with whom we share the roadway, to operate as safely as possible. Financial lens: Generally, all initiatives […]