Leading Australian universities and road safety partnership programs (supported by state road transport authorities such as VicRoads) have conducted multiple studies of road crashes to understand the leading causes and severity of the crashes. Throughout these studies, it was clear that the threat to life was higher when a crash involved a high impact.

Are your fleet vehicles involved in any of the following?

• Long journeys
• Off-road travel
• Tasks outside of normal working hours
• Emergency work and callouts

It stands to reason that when drivers have to complete tasks outside of normal driving conditions the risks multiply. Driving on unfamiliar roads, responding to callouts in low-light conditions, and negotiating challenging terrain are all examples of situations where a crash detection alert solution should be in the vehicle. An immediate alert from Smartrak’s crash detection solution generates a quick response from emergency services that can have a significant effect on survivability.

Smartrak’s Crash Detection feature is an essential element in an effective health and safety solution for at risk drivers , but it’s not the only initiative you can employ. Consider these points below for a genuinely comprehensive approach.

• Introduce an in-vehicle system to ensure drivers are alerted to posted road speeds, if they depart from lanes, or are following a vehicle too closely
• Plan task scheduling and journey durations to ensure that drivers don’t get fatigued
• Ensure that fleet managers have access to reporting on driver behaviour, to identify unsafe drivers and to support driver education measures
• Build vehicle servicing milestones into your operation schedules to ensure that brakes and tyres and other mechanical components are always safe and roadworthy