Grey fleet tracking – how to convince your drivers
by Fiona Taylor
Grey fleet tracking is good for businesses and drivers.
It can report on a vehicle’s location. It can provide a profile of how safely and efficiently an employee is driving. Grey fleet tracking can provide useful information in the event of an accident.
However, the advantages are not all to the employer. Drivers may see a reduction in their insurance premium, as well as removing the need to complete some admin by hand.
Instead, the technology marries up fuel consumption with mileage and emails it direct to the driver’s inbox, HR or accounts – whichever is required. If necessary, the system can be set up with an alarm to protect those driving alone, at night or in risky areas. Most tracking systems come with a privacy button that at least allows the user to turn off tracking when driving private miles.
In short, grey fleet tracking has a lot of benefits for grey fleet drivers, but it can be a difficult discussion to have with the. Here is a four-point plan to help you get grey driver buy-in.
1 – Know why you want to install grey fleet tracking
Firstly you need to understand why you want to install grey fleet trackimg. Whether it is;
- duty of care,
- monitoring driving techniques to improve driver behaviour,
- knowing where drivers are and how they got there,
- risk management surrounding incidents and accidents,
- or recording mileages accurately
You cannot sell the idea to employees if you are not clear about why you are implementing the technology.
2 – Decide which type of system you want
It is easier to persuade grey fleet drivers to accept tracking if they feel they are in control. A smartphone app or a device that plugs into the 12v socket or connects to the vehicle’s OBD port, might appear to be the best option.
However, there is a downside with apps, including the need for a driver to remember to use them, keep their phone charged and, ideally, have a stable connection or mount in the car. There is also the risk that it will eat into the owner’s data allowance.
3 – Consider data protection and employee privacy
It is vital to convey that the company is not stalking its employees. Most devices can be set up with a privacy button. This will mask as much or as little information as the company and its employees agree to.
The systems available offer different levels of discretion. Satmo, for example, can be set for specific hours, when it will automatically measure business and private mileage and track location.
Outside those hours it can continue to record the miles covered but with details of locations visited automatically masked. The driver then marks mileage according to business and personal use.
4 – Get employee buy-in
Communication is key. You must explain;
- why and how you are going to implement it,
- how it works,
- what data is saved,
- if data is private,
- and the likely outcome of having tracking.
If done well, introducing tracking into grey fleet does not have to be an uphill battle. Drivers need to be aware the the system is not going to be used to spy on them. However is there because as an employer you have to ensure that they are safe.
Fiona Taylor
Fiona Taylor is the Sales Manager at award winning Satmo Vehicle Tracking. If you feel you need help with your fleet, want to gain back control, save some money and time then please get in touch.
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