Top 3 Reasons Businesses Don’t Have GPS Tracking Yet
Are you involved in fleet management, and on the fence about implementing a GPS tracking solution? In a recent study, fleet executives in the United States were asked why they have not implemented GPS tracking to their fleet operations yet. The top three most common reasons identified were lack of budget, the need to do more research, and the belief that it wouldn't help.
How Back-Up Cameras Work and What’s Coming Next
On the evening of October 19, 2002, pediatrician Greg Gulbransen walked out his front door to move the family's sport-utility vehicle into the driveway. Unbeknownst to him, his 2-year-old son Cameron followed. Gulbransen was backing up when he felt a small bump, discovering only after it was too late that he'd accidentally run over and killed the boy.
On March 31, 2014, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) finalized a long-delayed regulation meant to reduce back-overs, a key part of a 2007 driving safety act named for Cameron Gulbransen. The regulation sets a 2018 deadline for rearview monitoring technology to be standard on passenger vehicles sold or leased in the United States.
Drivers don't have to wait until 2018, though, to get a car with a camera that shows them what's behind their back bumper.
♦ Back-up camera systems will have to meet federal standards, but how they operate varies.
The button-size devices are positioned so drivers can see people or objects that are otherwise undetectable using a side or rearview mirror or by glancing over their shoulder. When NHTSA's rear visibility regulation takes effect, it will require rearview technology to display a 10-by-20-foot area directly behind the vehicle. The rule also requires systems to show the driver an image of the area no more than 2 seconds after they put the vehicle into reverse.
READ MORE to get the details
7 Things Drivers Need to Do at the Scene of an Accident
Are you preparing drivers and other personnel on what to do in case of a crash? Fleets should prepare for and practice what to do in the event of a serious accident just like they do for fire drills — from top management to dispatchers to drivers. What drivers and other company personnel do immediately following an accident can help you win a lawsuit or cause you to lose one.
These seven steps should be taught in orientation, practiced, and reviewed on an ongoing basis. Laminated cheat-sheets outlining the steps that are kept in the vehicle can help drivers remember the steps in the confusion of an actual crash aftermath.
1. Remain calm. Before you do anything, take a deep breath. Don't admit fault to anyone — even a simple "I'm sorry" could be construed by a court as an admittance of guilt.
READ MORE for the remaining steps.
CEI Installs Latest Internet Telephone Trunk Technology
The CEI Group, Inc. (CEI) is upgrading its telephone system by switching to SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunk lines, the latest in Voice-over-Internet Protocol technology.
“We engage in a total of more than 1 million inbound and outbound phone calls a year, most of which are long-distance and combine voice and streaming media,” said Bob Marriott, CEI’s senior manager of enterprise technology.
“Our new SIP trunks offer more robust multi-media capability and the advantage of simpler, virtual connectivity to internet service telephone providers. They’re also more scalable and cost-effective, and will help us control our costs as CEI call volume continues to grow.”
READ MORE to learn about SIP
NCSFA State Fleet Managers Workshop
October 7 - 9, 2014
Burlington, Vermont
Free Registration for Fleet Managers!
Attend the 2nd annual NCSFA State Fleet Manager's Workshop, designed exclusively for Government Fleet Management Professionals to be held in beautiful Burlington, Vermont on Lake Champlain.
The NCSFA and the State of Vermont are co-hosting this three day intensive workshop. Presenters will be state fleet professionals sharing their best practices and program information.
