Video telematics: forefront for commercial vehicle operations?

Logistics is essential to the Indian economy. Video telematics is one such critical technological adoption that is the cutting-edge solution for commercial vehicle operation and has the potential to change the way we look at commercial vehicles and logistics.

Let’s start with a definition of video telematics.

Video Telematics is a technology that combines cameras, telecommunications, informatics, and wireless devices to send, receive, and store vehicle-related data.

Video telematics devices are used for fleet tracking to record and transmit information during a collision, poor driving behavior such as sleep-driving, driving while on call, or other security purposes. The video telematics market is expected to grow between 2020 and 2025, adding 3.2 million subscribers. In-cab cameras installed in vehicles collect visual video evidence or data while also serving as a tool for driver safety, insurance claims, driver retention, and driver training.

The dashboard-mounted camera in video telematics allows for the detection and reporting of unsafe driving behavior. It can assist in detecting driving fatigue or distraction, phone misuse, unused seat belts, lane change without signaling, potential frontal collisions, and tailgating.

This game-changing technology provides fleet managers with never-before-seen insights into poor driver behavior or habits, noncompliance, and crashes. Poor driving performance and accidents increase operational costs, increase risks, reduce customer satisfaction, and increase fuel and maintenance costs.

This system, when combined with GPS tracking and fleet management software, can notify drivers in real-time of unsafe or risky driving behavior. The system can immediately correct drivers in order to improve vehicle control and prevent potentially fatal accidents. Knowing that real-time monitoring is taking place helps to improve drivers’ attitudes and performance. Not only that, but as drivers are rewarded for their driving habits, they are more motivated to focus on good driving habits rather than unsafe driving habits, such as talking or texting on the phone while driving. This results in driver motivation.

Cargo theft is one of the most concerning risks affecting global freight supply chains, resulting in severe supply chain disruptions, injuries/deaths, economic loss, and environmental damage. It is not incorrect to state that theft is quickly reported to fleet managers using video telematics via an alert notification. This draws attention to the location of the vehicle and alerts managers to a rule violation or theft. Having a dashcam helps the report because it allows the vehicle to record everything that happens around it. It can also assist managers in identifying thieves and locating landmarks to pinpoint a vehicle’s location. Video telematics guarantees your company improved driver performance, consistent safety, and consistent profit from positive performances.

Speaking of Video Telematics, I believe vehicle and goods safety is essential but driver safety should be a priority of any fleet business and I suppose most of the fleet owners will agree with this. Both your vehicle and goods are assets but at the same time your drivers are your biggest asset and keeping our assets protected is integral to any fleet business.

I believe that using telecommunications and informatics in combination with dash cams may do wonders as you can have access to both inside and roadside views.

So it’s safe to say that including video telematics in your management solutions can help you simplify your safety initiatives plus it can become your all-in-one solution for fleet management and that using video telematics in the current market can significantly reduce your business expenditures.

Gone are the days when a truck driver informs about road situations through CB radio. The business has undoubtedly gone a long way, from conversations over the radio for figuring out the driver’s whereabouts to coaching drivers with data from video telematics.

While Artificial Intelligence has tremendously developed in the past few years, it makes me feel surprised as to why Video Telematics has not yet captured the entire commercial vehicle market, but at the same time, the emergence of Video Telematics in India gives a sigh of relief.

I believe addressing driver safety and retention by overcoming fleet management issues and meeting fleet targets is essential for any fleet business. The major problem any fleet business bears is driver exemption, driver behavior ( fatigue, tiredness, distraction, etc.) driver safety, and cargo safety problems.

It’s safe to say that including video telematics in your management solutions can help you with your safety initiatives plus it can become your all-in-one solution for fleet management. The dashcam gives complete access to the inside and roadside view and you can monitor everything happening inside and outside your vehicle in real-time. Video Telematics provides quick alerts while risky driving behavior or any uncertainty, 24*7 visibility, and a control tower. Above all, it reduces insurance costs as telematics insurance is calculated on the basis of vehicle usage. So, pay as per your vehicle usage.

Gone are the days when a truck driver informs about road situations through CB radio. The business has undoubtedly gone a long way, from conversations over the radio for figuring out the driver’s whereabouts to coaching drivers with data from video telematics.