3 Steps Companies Can Take to Solve Road Safety Challenges Using ?Big Data?

From monitoring drivers who may accelerate too fast from a stoplight, to tracking truck breakdowns, ?big data? is revealing new insights that companies can use to help make roads ? and drivers ? safer.

For instance, using fleet data showed UPS that making left turns against traffic wasted fuel and time, and could lead to an increase in collisions. The company implemented a ?minimal left turn? policy and reduced fuel use and road crashes significantly.

Research indicates that fleet or company drivers have an increased crash risk compared to drivers of privately registered vehicles. Vehicle collisions during work-related driving account for up to one-third of road fatalities (excluding commuting), and accounts for more than a third of occupational deaths, as well as significant employer costs.

A company must consider the welfare of its employees, as well as the dangers business fleets could pose to other road users. Below are three ?big data? steps that companies can take to initiate safer driving practices and limit the road-related risks posed to their employees and other road users.

Capturing Data

Large fleet operators have implemented vehicle telematics to track vehicle performance and driver safety. Fleet drivers can benefit from improved driving behavior and insurance discounts as a result.

Vehicles that are equipped with GPS tracking devices can be used to capture warning data, including harsh breaking, harsh accelerations, seat belt misuse, distracted driving, and speeding. Some trucking companies are