Category: Vehicle Tracking

Motorists up and down the country must appreciate the importance of avoiding fatigue when driving.

GEM Motoring Assist has therefore issued some top tips on how to avoid this dangerous state.

Recognise the signs of tiredness

“No one simply falls asleep without passing through various recognisable stages of tiredness and distraction,” explained GEM road safety officer Neil Worth.

As such, the warning signs to look out for include:

– Yawning or rubbing of eyes
– Thoughts wandering from driving
– Difficulty maintaining constant speed/road position
– Loss of time (difficulty recalling the last few minutes)

At this point, drivers can be said to be suffering from all of the key hallmarks of fatigue and, as a result, they should pull over and rest as soon as possible.

Taking a ‘power nap’ or consuming a caffeinated beverage can provide a short-term boost to alertness, but key to safety is being well rested at all times.

Mr Worth concluded: “A fatigue-related crash is around 50 per cent more likely to result in death or serious injury, simply because a driver who has fallen asleep at the wheel will be unable to reduce speed or change direction to avoid a collision.”

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “Tiredness kills and is a significant danger for all road users. Appreciating the warning signs and taking steps to avoid fatigue is therefore essential for all drivers.”

As many as ten injuries are caused every week across the UK by van drivers tailgating other vehicles, new figures have shown.

This is according to research by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles based on data compiled by the Department for Transport (DfT).

Dangers of driving too close revealed

Overall, the DfT data revealed 4,256 accidents are classified as ‘drivers following too closely’ each year, resulting in 6,184 injuries and 19 fatalities.

Eight per cent of cases involved a light commercial vehicle, meaning van drivers are causing ten injuries from tailgating every week.

Businesses are therefore encouraged to ensure their drivers are up to speed in terms of driver training and are fully aware of the consequences of this bad motoring behaviour.

Individuals found guilty of tailgating other drivers face a fine of £100 and three penalty points on their licence.

Responding to the findings, Neil Greig, director of policy and research at IAM RoadSmart, said: “Tailgating is the biggest single bugbear that motorway users in particular report. Surveys suggest almost half of drivers feel scared and get angry about it.

“Keeping your distance means you can observe what is happening around and ahead of you much better and gives you time to react to the unexpected.”

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “Road users must ensure they are maintaining a suitable distance to other vehicles ahead. It’s important for all motorists to give each other space – that means always leaving a gap.”

Members of the UK’s automotive industry risk missing out on essential skills and talent if issues of diversity and inclusion (D&I) are not addressed.

This was the warning posed by attendees of the ‘Making Diversity and Inclusion a Business Reality’ event earlier this month.

D&I must be a top priority for businesses

Held in London and organised in partnership between Auto Trader and executive search specialists Ennis & Co, the one-day conference saw a range of industry leaders take part in panel discussions around the subject of D&I.

Three key themes were touched on during the day: selective focus, brand engagement and commercial benefit.

Speaking at the event, Auto Trader’s manufacturer and agency director Rebecca Clark said: “D&I isn’t simply a ‘nice-to-have’. Without a diverse, representative workforce with the skills, the talent and fresh thinking to help businesses adapt to future technologies and customers, they will be at a huge disadvantage in an already highly competitive marketplace.”

Ms Clark added the number of high-ranking attendees at this year’s event – now in its second year – highlights just how seriously the automotive sector is taking this issue.

Indeed, more than 80 HR directors, managing directors, CEOs and change leaders from many of the UK’s major automotive retail and manufacturing brands took part.

Jenny Smith, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “Organisations across the automotive sector must act to ensure they are placing diversity and inclusion at the top of their agenda. Failure to do so could see businesses missing out on top talent, and the industry at large suffering as a result.”

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Volvo has been named the UK’s ‘most dependable premium brand’ in the J.D. Power 2019 UK Vehicle Dependability Study.

It’s quite the accolade for the manufacturer, with the result based on the responses of more than 11,000 UK car owners.

Capturing the imagination of UK drivers

Mark Lendrich, head of research at J.D. Power Europe, commented: “Long-term reliability has a direct impact on today’s sales and tomorrow’s brand loyalty.

“The 2019 UK Vehicle Dependability Study premium brand award underlines that Volvo was able to satisfy the demanding group of premium customers when it comes to vehicle dependability.”

Responding to the award, Volvo Cars UK managing director Jon Wakefield stated the advocacy of those who purchase and drive the brand’s vehicles is a “perfect affirmation” of what the company is aiming to achieve.

It represents a confirmation that the marque’s efforts to provide outstanding service, quality and support for its customers is now paying off, he argued.

Indeed, Mr Wakefield went on to add the company has truly “captured the imagination and enthusiasm of Britain’s motorists”.

Jenny Smith, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “This is an impressive victory for Volvo and one that highlights the continued popularity of the brand. It provides impressive recognition for the company’s efforts to maximise build quality and to create cars that UK drivers find truly dependable.”

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

UK van drivers are being encouraged to look after themselves, after new research revealed fewer than four in ten van operators have had a doctor’s check-up in the last 12 months.

What’s more, 61 per cent do not eat fruit and vegetables every day and admit to having “unhealthy diets”.

Self-care is important for everyone

Research from Mercedes-Benz Vans UK engaged with 2,000 UK van drivers and owners to compile its findings.

The results highlight a growing need for many van operators to place a far higher priority on looking after their health.

Steve Bridge, managing director at Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, said: “As an industry, the van sector is spent focusing on others – from parcel and delivery couriers, e-grocery, service engineers and facility management companies are all spent focused on benefiting others, but we think it’s time that more self-care is taken.”

He went on to argue there is a growing need for van operators to be more health-conscious.

Partnering with Mercedes-Benz Vans and responding to the research, former professional footballer Alan Stubbs added it is essential people do not bury their heads in the sand if they think there is something wrong with their health.

“My message to men across the country is that if you think something isn’t quite right, go and get it checked,” he stated.

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “Self-care is important for everyone, especially those who include heavy lifting or long periods of sitting down and driving in their workday. It’s important for people to recognise their health can be greatly affected by their choices at work.”