Category: Vehicle Tracking

Drivers up and down the country have been urged to remember the importance of keeping their eyes and minds on the road, even when using hands-free mobile devices.

GEM Motoring Assist believes UK motorists should not underestimate the level of distraction that these devices can cause.

Hands-free doesn’t mean safe

GEM road safety officer Neil Worth argued that despite hands-free devices being legal, they still pose a risk to safety for all users.

“A hands-free device may allow you to keep both hands on the wheel, but ‘hands-free’ unfortunately doesn’t mean ‘brain-free’,” he commented. “Using your phone while driving is an avoidable distraction which raises the risk you pose to other road users.”

Mr Worth reminded drivers of the potential dangers they face when they take their concentration away from the road. He went on to add that mobile devices – whether hands-free or not – present an unacceptable level of risk to all road users.

To ensure safety, GEM advises drivers to only use mobile devices – including hands-free devices – when their vehicle is safely parked. They should also spend a few minutes ahead of any journey to make important calls, as this reduces the likelihood of having to answer while on the move.

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “Keeping your mind on the road is essential to ensure safety for drivers and those around them. As such, fleet operators should be reminding their drivers to only use hands-free devices when they are absolutely necessary.”

Vehicle breakdown and recovery specialist GEM Motoring Assist believes the government should follow the lead of Northern Ireland and increase the penalties associated with not wearing a seatbelt.

The call follows the publication of the government’s latest road safety plans.

Seatbelts save lives

GEM road safety officer Neil Worth believes stiffer penalties for those who fail to wear seatbelts would send a strong message that this behaviour is simply unacceptable.

“Research shows time and again that seatbelt laws increase seatbelt use, and therefore reduce deaths and serious injuries,” he argued.

“We believe that tougher penalties, effectively enforced, would lead to a significant and immediate reduction in the number of drivers and vehicle occupants killed and seriously injured on our roads.”

At present, individuals found guilty of not wearing a seatbelt while driving in Northern Ireland face fines and three penalty points on their licence, while in the rest of the UK there are no penalty points awarded.

Mr Worth concluded the risk of death can be significantly reduced in the event of an accident by wearing a seatbelt, while the risk of serious injury can be cut in half. It therefore must be a priority to make more people accountable for their actions by implementing penalty points for this type of dangerous behaviour.

Jenny Smith, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “Simply put, seatbelts save lives. Passengers and drivers alike are taking their life in their hands when they do not buckle up.”

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Fleet drivers may not be able to pay enough attention to the roads because they are distracted by their mobile phones, new research has suggested.

Always-on expectations from managers

A poll of 1,006 employees and 255 executive directors by the government-backed Highways England programme Driving for Better Business (DfBB) found 49 per cent of business leaders expect their employees to answer their phones at all times, even while driving for work.

As a result, 45 per cent of employees said they experience stress when they are behind the wheel and receive a call from their boss.

More worryingly, 61 per cent of employees said they do not always – or only sometimes – find a safe place to stop to take the call if their phone rings while they are driving.

Indeed, despite it being illegal, one in 20 executive directors and one in eight employees thought the hard shoulder of a motorway is an acceptable place to take a work-related call.

The study also found that 17 per cent of those who drive for work have been involved in an accident due to a phone call from a colleague.

Campaign manager for DfBB Simon Turner told FleetNews.co.uk: “Leaders must implement a driving for work policy that enforces legal and ethical obligations on all employees that drive on work-related journeys.”

According to the most recent figures from the Department for Transport, drivers using mobile phones were responsible for 33 deaths on Britain’s roads in 2017.

It is illegal to hold a phone while driving and motorists must have hands-free access if they wish to take calls.

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “This study presents a worrying picture of the expectations some managers are placing on their fleet drivers. We would urge them to have a rethink and always put safety first.”

Police forces across the UK will soon benefit from a versatile new option for their fleets, following the release of a new Skoda conversion.

Based on the Kodiaq vRS, a new police-specific model conversion has been developed by the manufacturer.

 

Imposing yet functional design

This latest Skoda offering has been designed to deliver outstanding performance and versatility to meet the needs of officers in a host of circumstances.

It features increased interior space and payload capabilities, as well as powerful LED signal lights built into the front screen, grille, tailgate and number plate – all complemented by a 100-amp three tone siren.

Designed to be conspicuous to the public, the design is bold and striking, with the model coming with dual exhaust pipes, vRS sports bumpers and trademark red brake calipers.

Inside, the driver benefits from a 10.25-inch digital Virtual Cockpit display and SmartLink+ for seamless smartphone integration. Meanwhile, Alcantara-trimmed sports seats with memory function and an emergency services communications system built into the dashboard are also included.

Skoda head of fleet Henry Williams commented: “The high-performance credentials of the Kodiaq vRS make it a powerful addition to the pursuit vehicle line-up. It offers power, precision drive and good visibility to other drivers on the road.”

Jenny Smith, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “This new Skoda conversion will be hot property for police forces up and down the country. It promises to make a big impact with officers and members of the public alike.”

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Breakdown and recovery specialist GEM Motoring Assist has warned UK drivers to be alert to changes on smart motorways up and down the country.

New systems to monitor traffic mean anyone now caught using a closed lane – marked by a Red X on overhead signage – could land themselves in hot water.

Be alert to your surroundings

GEM road safety officer Neil Worth commented: “Red X signs are often displayed well ahead of motorway incidents, as they help ensure that emergency vehicles can reach the incident.

“Someone might be stranded in that lane, or there may well be emergency or recovery workers assisting at a collision or a breakdown.”

Systems to monitor and record drivers making use of closed lanes came online on June 10th.

Now, anyone found to have used a lane marked with a Red X could face fines of up to £100 and three points on their licence.

As such, GEM advises motorists to remember that a Red X means the lane is closed to all traffic.

If you see a Red X sign ahead for the lane you are using, move across to another lane as soon as it’s safe to do so.

And always remember that the Red X can be shown on signs located on the verge of the carriageway or on signs above each lane across it.

Jenny Smith, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “Always pay attention to your surroundings when driving and that is especially important when using smart motorways. Variable signage means situations can change quickly and you should always follow these directions for motorway users.”

Your business can benefit from affordable telematics with no hidden start-up fees or long-term commitments. Find out how at www.tele-gence.com