By Sarah Bechtold, eDriving

As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, fleet managers face a unique set of seasonal challenges. Fall ushers in shorter days, unpredictable weather, and the added risk of holiday distractions.

For managers of small to medium-sized fleets, this time of year requires extra vigilance to ensure drivers are prepared for the hazards that come with the changing season.

By preparing your fleet for the specific challenges of autumn, you can reduce crashes and ensure smoother operations through the rest of the year.

As you navigate the unique risks of both fall and the Halloween season, our driver risk management program, Mentor by eDriving, can support your efforts to keep your fleet safe.

READ MORE

By Stephen Israel, Vice President of Operations, ChargeTronix

Due to technological and logistical advancements in charging infrastructure, the U.S. is at an inflection point in its transition to electric as charging infrastructure becomes increasingly scalable.

In the past year, targeted policies like the Inflation Reduction Act and financial incentives such as federal tax credits and state rebates have made it more feasible for private companies to expand their charging infrastructure.

As EVs continue to gain popularity, smart distributed charging solutions will allow for power sharing and dynamic adjustments between multiple vehicles, which will ideally improve charging efficiency.

Infrastructure planning and development can be daunting for managers, especially in the midst of constant innovation within the charging industry. With effective planning and rollout strategies, however, this process can be made more efficient and approachable.

READ MORE

By Tod Trousdell, Fleet Marketing Consultant and Partner, RobertsTrousdell Communications

This year’s AFLA Conference, held September 15-18 at the La Cantera Resort and Spa in San Antonio, featured a wealth of solid keynotes, a lively slate of social events, and plenty of expert panels.

But the real stars of this year’s conference were the good-hearted exchanges and well-intended wishes on display from start to finish of the three-day affair. Fleet manager and incoming AFLA President Karyna Zarate of Inframark noted how impressed she was with the warm exchanges and the spirit of camaraderie that permeated the event.

Wheels CEO Shlomo Crandus said he was especially pleased with the opportunity to watch “client partners sharing their expertise.”

And The Hourglass Foundation’s Executive Director Kim Davidson said she concurred that the AFLA conference was very much like a family reunion.

READ MORE

Drivers are becoming more and more dependent on their vehicle’s sophisticated features, such as dashcams and driver monitoring systems. They can be great tools to hold reckless drivers accountable for unsafe behaviors that endanger others on the road.

When Tesla’s driver monitoring systems detects a driver is not paying attention, the vehicle issues a series of warnings. The system may disengage these advanced features until the driver resumes safe behavior.

“This technology is useful for accident prevention as the real-time feedback makes drivers actively aware of their reckless actions, whether its diverting attention to a smartphone, running red lights, or failing to brake properly,” says Rocio Gosewehr Hernandez, a personal injury lawyer at Snellings Law in North Texas.

via PR Newswire

image credit: IIHS

Almost 9 out of 10 drivers of vehicles equipped with lane departure warning and prevention systems now keep them switched on, a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows. Seven out of 10 drivers of vehicles that give visual alerts when they exceed the speed limit also keep that feature running.

“The results reflect a combination of better designs and a growing acceptance of crash avoidance systems, more generally,” said IIHS Research Scientist Aimee Cox, the lead author of the study. “The new designs make the feature a little harder to turn off and a lot less annoying for the driver.”

via IIHS

Earlier this year, the State of California announced an intention to introduce technology that would alert drivers when they exceeded the speed limit. Had the bill been passed, all new cars, buses, and trucks sold in California would be required to alert the driver when they exceeded the speed limit by 10 mph, starting in 2030.

Governor Gavin Newsom stated that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) “is also actively evaluating intelligent speed assistance systems, and imposing state-level mandates at this time risks disrupting these ongoing federal assessments.” Despite the potential to make Californian roads safer, the now-vetoed bill was not without its opponents.

via CarBuzz

As the Southeastern U.S. is reeling in the wake of Hurricane Helene, authorities are reminding EV owners to be careful if their vehicles have been flooded. If you have an EV that is or was submerged—especially if it is inside of an attached garage — be aware that it is a potential fire risk.

Batteries are designed to be safe in varying conditions, including submersion, so most have seals to prevent any moisture from getting in. But salt water is extraordinarily corrosive. Tesla recommends not driving a car that has been submerged until it is inspected by an authorized repair facility and says that flooded vehicles should be parked 50 feet from any structure.

via InsideEVs

By Jon Bernstein, Vice President of Product Management, Motus

At its core, scalability in vehicle programs denotes the system’s capacity to accommodate fluctuations in demand or operational scope without compromising performance or incurring excessive costs.

As a company expands, their vehicle programs must scale up accordingly. This expansion involves augmenting resources such as drivers and support systems to meet heightened demand. However, scaling up demands meticulous planning to ensure cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency remain intact.

When selecting a vehicle program, prioritizing scalability is essential. Companies need to look for solutions that can adjust reimbursement rates dynamically, reflecting fluctuating costs and employee driving patterns.

READ MORE

By Brian Antonellis, CTP, Senior Vice President of Fleet Operations, Fleet Advantage

One of the hottest buzz phrases of 2024 is turning out to be “hidden fees.” For many businesses, including transportation fleet, the prices we see in plain sight are rarely the prices we end up paying.

The pandemic and rapidly changing economy made it important to scrutinize every detail of a fleet’s vehicle lease structure, especially as this meant the difference of millions gained or lost toward the bottom line.

Today, the industry’s penchant for hidden fees has only exacerbated this problem further, underscoring the importance of transparency in lease structures. Companies utilizing Full-Service Leases are paying the price for this lack of transparency.

READ MORE

Sofico, a global leader in software solutions for enhanced automotive and mobility services, announced its expansion in the North American market with its U.S. office in Dallas, TX.

Mike Reinlein, General Manager of Sofico North America, stated, “We look forward to introducing Miles Enterprise for businesses providing automotive finance, leasing, fleet, and mobility management services. The platform represents a paradigm shift in asset and contract lifecycle management with unparalleled user flexibility, security, and efficiency.”

Miles Enterprise is designed to grow and evolve with a company. Its Miles Microservices system leverages the power of the cloud to enable multi-modal IT in conjunction with Miles.

READ MORE