Cellcontrol Teams Up with TomTom BRIDGE to Reduce Distracted Driving in Fleets
App adapted for TomTom Bridge users to lock down smartphones while vehicle is in motion
Cellcontrol has developed a customized version of their patented, award-winning safe driving platform specifically for TomTom Bridge. Cellcontrol technology will pair with a driver’s smartphone in the cabin and restrict the driver’s access to certain smartphone applications while their vehicle is in motion.
Clarity and Gratitude
There is no bigger news in the industry today than the convening of NAFA’s annual Institute & Expo next week in Austin. NAFA CEO Phillip E. Russo, CAE, recaps it perfectly: “The Institute & Expo is developed by fleet professionals for fleet professionals. What are your concerns? What are your goals? How can NAFA be everything you need to resolve those questions? NAFA’s I&E brings clarity and resolution to all who attend.”
Ted Roberts and I are delighted to announce that we have completed the purchase of Fleet Management Weekly from Automotive Information Network. We owe Chuck Parker, named an Honorary Member of NAFA in 2012 for his own contributions to NAFA and the industry, a great debt of gratitude for his mentorship.
We hope to see you in Austin!
Janice Sutton
Editor in Chief
A Wake-Up Call to End Drowsy Driving
We all know it’s dangerous to get behind the wheel when we’ve been drinking — but what about when we’re tired? Over 60 percent of Americans admit they’ve driven while drowsy at least once in the past year. Yet sleep deprivation impairs our judgment just as much as alcohol — and is just as likely to result in a fatal crash.
It’s no accident that drunk driving deaths fell by half between 1982 to 2014. This turnaround happened because there was a concerted effort by government, nonprofits and safety experts to change attitudes towards drinking and driving. That campaign led everyone to take the problem more seriously than ever before.
But while the dangers of drunk driving are now well known, drowsy driving is still a silent epidemic.
NAFA’s Institute & Expo Gets Controversial With Fleet’s Hot Topics
There are always a multitude of don’t-miss sessions at NAFA I&E, but this year that’s more true than ever - especially in the case of the closeout general session for the conference, the “Fleet Hot Topics Discussion.”
Hot Topics to be discussed include distracted driving; cybersecurity; generational influences in the workplace; being fleet-wise in regard to marijuana and guns; and more will be detailed by industry leader, introduce concerns that are affecting business. It promises to be an informative, interactive discussion.
Of course, there are a bunch of other fantastic sessions as well — far more than we can list here - including “How To Improve Equipment Utilization With Smart Sharing Practices,” “Fleet 2025 - Strategic Fleet Planning,” “The VMT Road Tax Era is Near,” and “Fleet Options For Improving Cash Flow.” You can check out these and a multitude of other great sessions here on NAFA’s Conference Agenda page.
Leadership Skill #1: Just Be Yourself
Welcome to the first Women in Fleet Management (WIFM) video series! I recently had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Kristi Webb, President and CEO of Element Financial Corporation’s Fleet Management Operation, on the topic of leadership. I walked away from the interview proud to have had the chance to learn from her and excited about this opportunity to share Kristi’s wisdom with this group.
By the way, WIFM will continue to share other topical information and video interviews with notable women and men in the Fleet industry! I hope you find Kristi’s leadership observations about leadership valuable.
~ Lori Rasmussen, President, PARS
