Steering Clear of the Impaired ‘Other Driver’
According to the New York Times, in 2016, opioid deaths in America likely exceeded 59,000 and that heartbreaking statistic is expected to rise in 2017 as the epidemic worsens.
In Safety & Risk this week, Art Liggio, president and CEO of Driving Dynamics, has written an eye-opening article about this national emergency. Liggio says, “The latest research shows a seven-fold increase since 1995 in the number of drivers killed while under the influence of prescription opioids.”
He answers the question: So, what should you be communicating to your fleet to steer clear of the oncoming danger? Even if you don't manage a fleet, I urge you to download Driving Dynamics' free safety bulletin: The Other Driver -- 10 Warning Signs.
Enjoy this issue and please check in with FleetManagementWeekly.com for daily updates!
Janice Sutton
Editor in Chief
Donlen’s DriverPoint Telematics to Incorporate Data Provided by OnStar to Help Improve Fleet Productivity and Efficiency
Donlen's DriverPoint telematics solution can now integrate data provided by OnStar, General Motors' embedded vehicle connectivity platform.
With this new integration, driver behavior information, vehicle location and diagnostic data can be sent directly from OnStar-equipped and activated Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles to the DriverPoint platform, after first obtaining appropriate driver notice and consent.
This allows fleet professionals to take full advantage of DriverPoint's safety, monitoring and savings without spending time installing and managing aftermarket telematics devices.
BMW Chief Krüger Defends Use of Diesels
Despite a series of scandals that have tarnished the image of diesel engines, cost manufacturers billions in fines penalties and recalls and now threaten to drag them in a wider legal morass, BMW's top executive is insisting diesel engines can have a significant role in the industry's future.
"State-of-the art diesels will definitely play an important role in future mobility," said BMW CEO Harald Kruger.
"Modern efficient diesel engines ensure lower CO2 emissions. On average, BMW Group diesel vehicles emit 40% less NOX than the German average, as reported by the Germany Federal Environment agency in April 2017. This is also true for both our Euro 5 and Euro 6 vehicles," he said.
An Expert Definition of Upfitting
This is a fantastic definition of what upfitting is, what upfitting does, and how it can make work easier - and safer - for your technicians.
Michael Croft Joins LeasePlan USA Business Development Team
LeasePlan USA has hired fleet industry expert, Michael Croft, to offer results-driven solutions to companies in the southwestern region.
"I knew right away Michael was a good fit for us," said Ricardo Fonzaghi, chief commercial officer at LeasePlan USA. "Not only does he bring years of fleet expertise and a consultative mindset, he also possesses the passion and spark that clients need to achieve success."
LeasePlan USA is in the process of expanding its business development team as it gears for smart growth and an investment in the future.
