Navigating Fleet Safety: The Impact of Distracted Driving and Solutions to Safeguard Your Fleet
By Sarah Bechtold, eDriving
As fleet managers, it's imperative to recognize the broader implications of distracted driving. Beyond endangering individual drivers, it exposes companies to substantial liability risks.
Driving is a multifaceted task that demands our full attention. Even hands-free calls, often deemed safer alternatives, carry inherent risks. Studies show that conversing on a phone, whether handheld or hands-free, impairs driving performance nearly 82% of the time.
Combating distracted driving is not merely a matter of policy; it's a moral imperative. By embracing a culture of safety and driver risk management programs such as Mentor by eDriving, fleet managers can protect their drivers and their businesses.
GreenPower Unveils EV Star, an All-Electric Commercial Utility Truck
GreenPower Motor Company launched a new all-electric utility vehicle designed for commercial fleets who need to move goods, materials, supplies and equipment reliably, safely and sustainably.
The new all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission EV Star Utility Truck joins GreenPower’s EV Star Cab & Chassis commercial vehicle family as the 10th truck body upfit solution manufactured by GP Truck Body.
“The addition of the EV Star Utility Truck to GreenPower’s already robust all-electric commercial vehicle lineup offers our commercial fleet customers another zero-emission solution to fulfill their demands,” said Brendan Riley, President of GreenPower.
ATA Safety Management Council Honors Industry’s Commitment to Safety
The American Trucking Associations’ Safety Management Council honored several distinguished fleets and industry leaders for their commitment to safety on the highway and in the workplace.
“Safety is at the heart of our industry, and these carriers and professionals embody this principle consistently,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “I want to congratulate these valued members of our industry for their commitment to safety and professionalism.”
The winners were recognized at ATA’s 2024 Safety, Security & Human Resources National Conference & Exhibition in Phoenix, Arizona.
World’s First Hydrogen Station for Commercial Trucks Opens
FirstElement Fuels has opened the world’s first large-scale hydrogen fueling station for heavy-duty commercial trucks just outside the Port of Oakland. FirstElement is calling their new filling station, which opened to the public this week for tours and demonstrations, the first of its kind.
The company says there are 30 Hyundai Xcient semi trucks using the fueling station currently, as well as a number of Nikola hydrogen fuel-cell-powered trucks.
So far, it’s not clear that FirstElement’s claims about either the sustainability of its hydrogen or the practicality of its filling station will convince many battery electric absolutists.
GM’s Mary Barra: “EV Adoption in Luxury Segments is More Resilient”
General Motors CEO Mary Barra provided product updates alongside the automaker’s Q1 2024 results this week. The company reported a strong set of first quarter financial results that beat analyst expectations, with company revenue up by 8% year-over-year to $43 billion.
In GM’s EV business, the Ultium Cell plant in Spring Hill, Florida, continues to ship cells and scale-up production.
The Chevrolet Equinox EV will be arriving in showrooms this quarter. “We’re very excited,” Barra said. It will be the “most affordable long-range EV in the market”, offering Super Cruise like all of Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac EVs on the Ultium platform, she added.
