Did you feel like someone punched you in the gut when you saw your insurance bill last time? If you did, you should not think you are in it alone. Based on a report created and published recently by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) , there has been an increase of almost 50% in commercial auto insurance over the last decade, particularly between 2018 and 2020.

This analysis covered over 80 carriers and more than 95,000 commercial trucks, and it uncovered this crucial piece of information - on average, insurance costs rose to $0.087/mile in 2020. However, this increment in costs was not across fleets of varying sizes, affecting smaller fleets disproportionately.

Small and medium-sized fleets experienced a larger jump over the last three years when compared to large and very large fleets. In fact, in 2020, small and medium fleets paid almost twice as much for every mile covered as large fleets.

Yes, these numbers look bleak, but you can implement a GPS fleet tracker. It has helped carriers reduce insurance costs in the past. You can expect it to do the same for you now.

Why Insurance Costs are Increasing & How Carriers are Responding

The analysis from ATRI pinpointed three factors primarily responsible for the overall increase in insurance premiums.

Economic factors, including medical costs and general inflation, are some of the greatest contributors to rising insurance premiums. Other factors also play crucial roles, such as crash severity, insurance industry competition, and the cost of repairing vehicles.

Despite being quite difficult to define, social inflation refers to increments in claims costs not directly caused by economic inflation. For instance, changes in public opinion related to who is at fault for a safety incident and how much the jury award in a settlement case should fall in this category.

The safety history of the individual carrier and whether the carrier demonstrated attempts of improving safety history play crucial roles. Furthermore, other factors include the usual cargo value and the primary state or area of operation. Carriers operating in more litigious states often charge higher premiums.

Naturally, numerous trucking organizations have responded to higher insurance premiums by cutting costs in other areas. According to the ATRI, three areas where companies were most likely to cut costs to offset insurance increments were;

• Salary, wages, or bonuses of employees
• Buying or maintaining equipment
• Hiring or firing employees

These techniques will yield short-term savings, but snipping off these areas will have long-term consequences. Reducing employee compensation can negatively affect a company’s chances of hiring and retaining experienced drivers. Postponing equipment upgrades or failing to maintain vehicles adequately with proper brakes, tires, or other components can increase safety risks.

Furthermore, firing old employees and hiring fewer new ones will put extra strain on existing drivers and staff, which may lead to cutting corners or increase safety risks.

How to Reduce Insurance Prices

Fleet managers can’t overlook the importance of buying insurance for drivers and vehicles, but the costs can pile up. Here are a couple of tactics you can use to seek out insurance price reductions.

Drivers are the most important assets of a fleet manager. You have to make sure your staff stays alert when behind the steering wheel, as it is essential to lowering insurance costs. Training frequently and setting specific expectations for drivers can reduce accidents.

Keeping tabs on driver performance metrics is a proactive method of seeing how employees operate on the clock. Acts of speeding and sudden braking need immediate attention because improving driver behavior leaves room for significant savings.

Prioritizing training regimes and reducing claims will possibly improve your CSA or Compliance, Safety, and Accountability score. It is a rating that conveys information about a carrier’s safety record. CSA scores are not visible to the public, but the data collected by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration can dictate the price of insurance premiums for commercial logistics companies.

A telematics solution will prove to be of use here, as it will provide you with an accurate history of driver collisions, citations, and other reports. Fleet owners and managers can reduce insurance premiums by educating drivers about how to navigate commercial vehicles safely.

Fleet vehicles should only serve business purposes, and to ensure insurance cost reduction, you should communicate the precise location of your company vehicle. With fleet vehicle monitoring systems, managers can check for suspicious activity that puts trucks at risk of sustaining damage. Determining how to limit unauthorized vehicle use is a crucial step in cutting down fleet insurance premiums.

Tracking alerts can help you recover stolen vehicles quickly. Preventing damage to the fleet and minimizing pricey insurance claims can help you save significantly large sums of money. Showcasing that you are responsible for your commercial vehicles allows you to lower insurance costs.

Adhering to DOT regulations can help you save money on insurance premiums. Most insurance firms tend to reward commercial establishments with drivers that abide by mandates placed at state and federal levels. Telematics functions keep all driver logs, maintenance details, and compliance reports in one place. With a telematics system, you can monitor how long drivers and vehicles stay on the road and their safety history.

Hard evidence is what insurance companies seek, and you must present it to them if you need to file an insurance claim and seek reimbursement. Relying on telematics hardware, such as dash cams, will be worthwhile, as they can record the details of a collision. These devices will give you the proof you need. The presence of an extra level of the context surrounding an accident is effective in showing that the driver was not the culprit. Also, the same evidence can stop insurance costs from burning a hole in your pocket or breaking your bank after an accident.

With a fleet compliance platform, gaining access to driver and vehicle reports will become easier. An insurance agency may charge a lower fleet insurance premium if you can show that you have a record of safe driving. You can also display documents related to inclusive vehicle maintenance histories and inspection results. Try to hash out a competitive price for your insurance plan by streamlining the compliance process.

How Fleet Vehicle Telematics Helps

Fleet telematics can have a profound impact on a business firm’s safety initiatives, which, in turn, can influence insurance premiums. Additionally, in an unfortunate event of a crash, fleet management solutions can protect the company from false claims.

Insurance is an undeniable and indispensable fact for fleet-based businesses, and many of the factors that influence premium costs remain out of the control of the owners and managers. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to mitigate those expenses.

One of those steps incorporates implementing a connected vehicle management system, a solution suitable for trucking companies of all sizes. It can effectively lower insurance costs by helping you display the depth of your organization’s focus on safety and risk management.

Want to find out how Vyncs can support your company’s safety efforts and potentially cut down insurance premiums? Visit our website to check out what we can do for you.

With state and federal rules and regulations expanding continuously, achieving fleet management sustainability and reducing carbon emissions are now mandatory. Fleet owners across North America are probably facing the pressure of modernizing their fleets and looking to implement GPS fleet monitoring systems on every vehicle. After all, these tools facilitate green fleet management better than anything else.

Overhauling the fleet is not mandatory for shrinking the carbon footprint and reducing the chances of incurring regulatory penalties. As mentioned above, investing in a connected car solution is a straightforward, more affordable alternative to changing the current vehicle fleet. Telematics tech supports enhanced operating procedures that can augment sustainable fleet management.

Your Choice Helps the Environment

Today's corporate world is perfectly aware of its social and environmental duties. It is primarily due to the increased pressure on global businesses to publish environmental data, apart from financial data, as part of their corporate reporting process in yearly reports.

Suppliers, customers, and shareholders are further driving for greater openness and accountability around the environmental impact of daily operations. Companies are investing and developing sustainable business practices to increase trust and engagement with their stakeholders and customers. These practices will lead to attracting and retaining employees, improving brand awareness, building credibility, encouraging advances and bringing innovation in various types of technology, and reinforcing community relations and partnerships.

Everyone knows how detrimental carbon dioxide emissions are. The world sorely needs ways to reduce emissions to avoid the worst impacts. According to researchers, the Asian continent is currently the largest emitter, accounting for 53% of global emissions. Even after being home to 60% of the world's population, the carbon dioxide emissions in this continent are slightly lower than the world average.

This value is equal to more than a quarter of the worldwide emissions. North America holds the second spot on this list, contributing to 18% of the global emission, followed closely by Europe at 17%. About 73% of the total CO2 emissions come from the energy sector, with 16% attributed to the transport industry and 12% to road transport, specifically.

Based on the information by the Global Energy Review 2021, global CO2 emissions will grow as the demand for oil, coal, and gas rebounds in the post-COVID era. From everything described above, it is clear that carbon dioxide has reached the highest-ever atmospheric average annual concentration.

Carbon dioxide emission is almost 50% higher than when the industrial revolution started. These stats clarify the necessity of tackling climate change effectively. Humanity must work together to reduce carbon emissions caused by on-road vehicles, particularly the ones used by fleets.

Here is a breakdown of how fleet operators can start establishing a sustainable strategy for fleet management.

You can achieve fleet sustainability once you thoroughly understand the current fleet costs, operations, and existing business processes and policies.

Once you identify where manageable inefficiencies deter or slow down operations and drain business money, you can take control of areas needing critical improvements.

Determining which fleet systems or operations are suitable for streamlining and optimizing is the key to improving things that will increase the bottom line.

Ensuring sustainability is a top priority for an organization. Therefore, you must develop a business case to present to stakeholders, partners, and personnel and explain how an operational review will help the fleet and the company achieve green objectives and boost overall profits.

Implementing all the measures suggested above to make the fleet more sustainable can be aided by implementing fleet telematics tech.

Ongoing review and monitoring will ensure that your company meets sustainability targets consistently. Fleet managers can rely on telematics technology to stay productive, utilize resources & fuel appropriately, and control expenditures.

What to Expect from Telematics Technology

Here are three ways a GPS fleet tracker can help lay the foundation of green fleet management.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have established stringent corporate average fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions. After becoming effective on July 1, 2022, the last rule sets the standards that would need an industry-wide fleet of approximately 49 mpg for passenger vehicles and light trucks in the year 2026 by increasing fuel efficiency by 8% yearly for model years 2024 and 2025, and 10% yearly for the year 2026.

Fuel consumption reduction is one of the most effective ways of achieving fleet sustainability objectives and helping meet ever-evolving regulations. Maintaining specific fuel-related constraints is the best way to reduce gas costs and impact the company's bottom line. Every fleet business owner knows that fuel usually contributes to a sizable operating expense. However, telematics technology increases fuel efficiency and helps make a significant impact.

Contemplating driver behavior and coaching them accordingly goes a long way to reducing excessive speeding and harsh acceleration while increasing the mpg value.

Another area of fleet management tech that helps companies realize sustainable fleet management is the ability to optimize driving routes for drivers. Managers can determine cost-effective and fast dispatch routes between job sites based on traffic patterns and other available data, so fuel use is reduced, and workers spend less downtime between job sites.

When a new or unexpected job comes up, you can route the nearest worker to that location to conserve fuel. You can also enable drivers to leverage GPS navigation tools to prevent them from getting lost and streamline delivery schedules. In doing so, you can reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emission.

Passenger cars, light-duty vehicles, and medium & heavy-duty trucks consume about six billion gallons of diesel fuel and gasoline. They do it without even moving an inch. You can probably guess that it is the result of idling - an event that makes a truck use almost half a gallon of fuel every hour.

Time spent idling not only means workers failing to contribute to operational profitability. It means fleet vehicles are consuming fuel unnecessarily, which falls short of several green fleet management initiatives.

With connected vehicle technology, you can set alerts for any unnecessary idling beyond a specific time threshold you deem appropriate. It helps reduce inactivity among fleet vehicles, other fuel costs, and, in some states, all related penalties.

The Correct Technology will Always Support Green Fleet Management

Every technician, driver, and employee of a business company has to be on board with green fleet strategies if you wish to implement real change in environmental sustainability. The strategies ensure everyone remains accountable to the same standards, build trust among the team, and accelerate the ability to achieve positive results from fleet management efforts.

So, what kind of technology should you look into? Vyncs is a practical choice, as it is a household name among numerous fleet owners in the USA. We don’t just claim to rethink and reshape mobility - we have made it a reality with our work and our product. Whether it is about location tracking, driver safety monitoring, or vehicle health reports, our product uses powerful on-board and in-cloud distributed data management and analytics platforms to access vehicle sensor data and provide information valuable to you.

Fleet management encompasses a lot of things. For starters, operators must ensure vehicle and driver safety and security. Fleet managers or business owners should also ensure their vehicles and drivers meet compliance regulations, while maintaining operational efficiency. A telematics system can play a pivotal role in this and in writing a driver policy and company handbook.

Here you will read about what goes into creating an inclusive driver policy and company handbook that will make your business fleet compliant in every aspect.

The Fundamentals

What is Compliance?

If there is a pillar that determines the success of a fleet, it is compliance. Adhering to it will take you forward in the game, but not doing so will be detrimental to operational safety and efficiency.

Maintaining compliance is crucial to the logistics industry as it helps keep drivers and vehicles safe by ensuring the carriers are roadworthy and reducing the likelihood of on-road incidents. With driver fatigue being the cause of one in five accidents, avoiding it is the top priority among fleet businesses. After all, eliminating driver fatigue by complying with the rules will do more than just safeguard the fleet. Being compliant will protect other road users too.

Fleet managers must prioritize compliance, but it is also a challenge to stay abreast of the changes in regulations and the complex admin work associated with the same. Several moving parts will need express attention, including monitoring a driver’s work hours & fatigue, refining the identification process, ensuring electronic logging accuracy, and preventing device tampering.

The Building Blocks of Compliance

Comprehensive fleet compliance is a machine with several cogs that you need to take note of. Some of the variables worth mentioning include;

These people are integral to fleet operations and play crucial roles in ensuring compliance. The management is responsible for implementing company rules and regulations and making sure that all drivers and vehicles follow these policies. They also monitor and evaluate performance to prevent company policy violations.

Fleet drivers, no matter how frequently they work, need training to operate the vehicle they are asked to operate. They also require a valid driver’s license and become familiar with the safety policies and compliance regulations.

Vehicles need to be in mint condition to operate efficiently. Therefore, you must ensure your vehicles are fit for use, and to do that, you need to get them serviced on time. Conducting regular inspections will help you meet safety guidelines.

Operating the business while maintaining compliance helps you mitigate risks and safeguard fleet vehicles. If you hope to ensure compliance in this regard, then you cannot make your employees work longer than realistic hours. You should also keep the working conditions fair and allow them to take breaks frequently.

The Specifics of a Driver Policy & Company Handbook

What are the particulars of a driver policy and company handbook? Here is a breakdown.

The introductory part of the driver policy and company handbook should begin with explaining the purpose, who it applies to, and the terms and conditions. Start by presenting the mission statement of the company so that the reader understands why your business utilizes fleets.

From there you can move on to define the industry terms and explain the roles and responsibilities of various departments. You have to define the duties of key players in the business like fleet managers, executive management, head of departments, vehicle users/drivers, and managers. The policy should also define industry-related terms. They will help outline your code of conduct, the types of employment contracts you offer, the recruitment process, attendance mandates, and governmental policies in this section of the manual.

This section of the manual should contain all admin activities associated with the business fleet. Outlining this part will provide the reader with more information regarding operations and how they will fit into the structure.

• The responsibilities of the fleet department
• The way your business chooses, allocates and acquires vehicles
• Train drivers on safe driving practices
• Communication mandates between drivers and fleet managers
• Your organization’s database and record-keeping systems
• Grounds for loss of employment/eligibility

This section shows the details of the telematics device or fleet tracking software program you use for your company. Remember to outline this in the driver policy so all employees use the device or software and avoid privacy breaches.

This element expands on the driver’s permit requirements for any employees driving company-owned vehicles.

The policy must stipulate that the driver provide an MVR (motor vehicle record), which is a document containing the details of an individual’s driving history. Information regarding accidents, traffic violations, or vehicle crimes will be included here. All prospective drivers must submit this data positively to ensure they meet all employment requirements. Furthermore, minimum employment age and disability guidelines should also be part of the policy.

A fleet’s well-being depends on driver safety. If anything harms your drivers, it will affect other aspects of business operations.

This portion of the policy should define the behaviors that can put drivers at risk, as well as the steps they must implement to stay safe while driving. Below you will find a few rules worth including;

• No one should drive under the influence of intoxicants. You should also stipulate the repercussions of doing so, such as employment termination if found guilty.
• No one should touch their phones when sitting behind the steering wheel.
• No one should drive a company vehicle if ill, medicated, or fatigued.
• Every driver and passenger should put on seat belts when in a company vehicle.
• Every driver should adhere to the rules and regulations of the road.
• Every driver must turn off the engine, lock the doors, and take the keys out of the vehicle if they leave it unattended.
• Every driver should use headlights only at night or during moments of low visibility.

This part of the manual will be the most influential as it will cover a great deal regarding fleet vehicle use. It must enumerate driver behavior guidelines and restrictions.

From the perspective of personal use, the driver policy should include the basics. For instance, only authorized personnel may drive company vehicles, passengers are limited to only those that need to ride in the vehicle to finish a project, and any restrictions, such as smoking, should be stated clearly. If your fleet uses personal or rental vehicles, remember to stipulate associated usage guidelines in the policy.

These make up the tip of the iceberg regarding what you need to include in the vehicle use section of the manual. Other necessary guidelines include providing an explanation of fuel purchasing and administration, processes to follow for reporting accidents, and vehicle care & security methods.

Efficient fleet performance depends on proper functionality. To that end, every vehicle has to remain roadworthy at all times. Poor maintenance will inevitably lead to vehicle downtime and costly repairs, which can be avoided by having comprehensive documentation concerning vehicle maintenance at hand. So, include outlining guidelines about vehicle operation, vehicle life cycle, risk management procedures, data collection, and fuel management.

An excellent place to start is determining the vehicle inspections and safety checks that the drivers should conduct before embarking on a journey. These safety checks should incorporate checking vital vehicle aspects, such as the brakes, lights, tires, and wipers. Stipulate clearly how often these checks should be conducted. Then, you can specify the frequency of tire rotations, oil changes, and other types of servicing.

Fleet managers and drivers should be aware of all the fundamentals of vehicle operation. These include;

• Vehicle maintenance program
• Software program used for vehicle operations
• Suppliers used
• Fuel consumption systems in place, and more

Every maintenance task conducted on the vehicle must be recorded in mileage reports for record-keeping.

Accidents are inevitable, whether you follow the rules of the road and correct driving etiquette or not. Even if you dodge the worst-case scenarios, you will not be able to escape scuffs and bumps. In any case, your drivers should be aware of the processes to follow after an accident to prevent further damage or injury and report the incident correctly.

Drivers must never engage in arguments or discuss the accident with external parties. They should discuss such events only with the police and fleet/security officers.

• Report the accident to the policy, regardless of its severity.
• Call for medical aid as and when required.
• Add the names and details of anyone involved in a collision and eyewitnesses.
• Give the other party their name, details, and insurance data.
• Inform fleet managers and security officers of the collision.
• Provide a comprehensive written report of the accident to fleet operators.

Tips to Write a Policy

At this point, you should be ready to write the policy. The following tips will help you get it done.

When you implement new policies for your fleet, research the industry and consider all aspects of your business. Look for information wherever you find it to enrich your documentation.

As changes in policy impact everyone working for a company, you should enquire with your employees to see how current policies impact them.

In the same way, take note of your peer’s policies. Find out what they learned when implementing these guidelines and how they impacted their operations. Staying informed about every aspect will guide you when assembling your documentation. This will help you put together more comprehensive and inclusive policies.

As you gather insight from employees through the research process, make sure that you get input from all departments to compile your documentation.

Once you create a clearer outline of everything in your policy and handbook, make sure that you keep executive management in the loop. Getting input from every employee of your company will ensure you leave no stone unturned and assure that all challenges and opinions specific to your business are included.

The driver policy and company handbook have to be all-inclusive without being repetitive. When you build the framework, make sure that you do not repeat yourself. Every piece of information you add must be valuable.

When you edit the document, the areas you need to elaborate or eliminate will become clear. Do not forget to pay attention to the readability of your policies, avoid being convoluted, and keep the language simple. All employees have to read and understand the documents. Naturally, the information must be as clear and precise as possible.

There is one more thing to do in terms of refining the document. You must review the policies carefully before distributing them.

• Supervisors
• Managers
• Legal representatives
• Union officials

The more people inspect the document, the better. This will help pinpoint any snags before it is submitted to senior-level management to be approved.

You can do it annually or whenever there is a change in regulations. Regardless of what you choose to do, make sure the policies are updated. To do that, stay in tune with industry news and ask your employees to provide detailed feedback on the policies after implementation. Specify who employees can contact if they have questions or suggestions concerning the documentation. Use the feedback to improve the policy and handbook.

How Vyncs Can Help

Are you familiar with Vyncs? It is currently one of the most reputable connected vehicle management technology providers on the market. How can a telematics product fabricated by us benefit you in creating a driver policy and company handbook?

Just think about it - what is the ultimate purpose of telematics? It facilitates monitoring cars, trucks, equipment, and even organizational assets by leveraging GPS technology and onboard diagnostics or OBD for strategizing asset movement on a digital map.

The presence of a highly intelligent computer in a vehicle capable of reporting on nearly every detail, from speeding & idling, to fuel use, low tire pressure, and more, can be nigh unto revolutionary for a logistics business.

As mentioned earlier, the sphere of transportation is fraught with aspects in need of constant monitoring, analysis, refining, identification, logging, tamper prevention, etc. Telematics is the only thing that will come in handy when you focus on these elements and help you use the results to frame your driver policy and company guidebook.

Business-fleet managers are well aware of the many benefits of using telematics solutions that provide GPS location data among other useful information. When it comes to the choice of the telematics device, some opt for the battery-powered ones that can be placed anywhere in the vehicle, while others prefer to use the GPS fleet trackers that can be plugged into the OBD-II port of the vehicle. For those of you who are not familiar with the OBD-II port, it is a data port located in the area below the steering wheel and above the gas pedal in every light and medium-duty vehicle sold in the USA after 1996. This port offers access to emission and vehicle health data in addition to a pin for drawing 12V power.

While battery-powered telematics devices offer the flexibility to place it anywhere in the vehicle (e.g. under the vehicle) that may be useful in some applications (e.g. stealth surveillance by law enforcement), it is often painful in fleet applications. Batteries run out of power sooner or later and require you to charge those devices regularly. Missing out on charging batteries means no data is collected. On the other hand, the OBD-II GPS tracking devices offer all the benefits of the former device with additional vehicle health/emissions data with and the benefit of not having to charge the devices regularly using sheer manual effort. No wonder, the latter kind is increasingly becoming the choice of telematics device for most business fleets.

Here are a few more compelling reasons why OBD-II devices are better than their battery-powered counterparts.

Ease of Installation and Use

As mentioned above, the OBD port is normally located under the steering wheel above the gas pedal area. Therefore, installing it is a breeze. You just have to push the device into the slot to gain access to the wealth of vehicle health and maintenance data. With our product, for instance, you can visit our website or use our app to get this information.

No Need to Charge

Most products are battery-powered, which requires users to charge them at least once a week. Conversely, OBD variants do not need batteries as they draw power from the vehicle. They will never run out as you do not have to unplug the device.

Collecting Data

As an OBD device stays plugged into the car, it gathers valuable information from the vehicle to help the owner understand everything going on under the hood and below the chassis. The tracking device allows you can determine the vehicle’s mileage and fuel economy. The Vyncs device can even provide car diagnostics, uncovering every existing problem. Additionally, the AI system of Vyncs will give you personalized suggestions regarding the optimization of fuel and maintenance expenses.

Driving Better

An OBD product manufactured by a reputable brand can automatically detect unsafe driving behaviors, such as speeding, harsh braking, or sharp cornering. Apart from knowing where and when you or someone else is driving, you can determine how well the person behind the steering wheel was operating the vehicle on the road. Vyncs possesses features like driver scoring and associated performance graphs and tables, allowing you to evaluate data, which comes in handy if the driver is newly minted.

GPS devices let you save fuel and money while creating safer driving conditions for your drivers. They also allow you to optimize routes and reduce insurance premiums.

Four Ways Telematics Can Enhance Fleet Performance

Now that you know about the OBD-II port, OBD-II devices, and why they are better than battery-powered products, read on to find out how telematics improves the performance standards of a fleet-business.

1. Decreased Paperwork and Other Time-Consuming Chores

Connected vehicle management systems provide drivers with real-time updates and workspace management, increasing efficiency in the process. They leave a digital trail of real-time updates, which eliminates the need for paperwork. Simultaneously, the same digital trail allows business owners or managers to make better decisions. Additionally, the business will be able to focus on the core aspects of the business and its operations rather than the aspects a telematics product can oversee and manage without human intervention.

2. Organize Preventive Maintenance

One of the lesser-known benefits of connected vehicle solutions is that it allows you to stay on top of preventive maintenance schedules. You can’t underestimate the importance of preventive maintenance if you hope to avoid costly repairs or dangerous roadside breakdowns. Once you use connected vehicle technology, you will never have to worry about forgetting an oil change, a tune-up, or any other essential vehicle service.

• Engine lights
• Emission information
• Battery health
• Oil changes
• Preventive maintenance routines

• It lets you create service schedules based on usage hours, mileage, or scheduled dates.
• It reminds you of upcoming services.
• It allows you to input service schedules and events for every vehicle in the fleet.
• It helps you maintain records of past service history.

GPS facilitates on-road efficiency and back-office work and allows fleet managers to keep maintenance tasks on schedule. As a manager, you will never have to worry about costly breakdowns in the middle of a job again, which leaves the driver at risk and the company's reputation tarnished.

3. Leverage Fuel Cards

When it is about managing fuel and maintenance-related expenses, fuel cards work better than anything else, especially when tethered to a connected vehicle solution. Fuel prices tend to fluctuate from time to time. Naturally, you need a foolproof way of tracking these expenses incurred by businesses relying on fleet vehicles. Fuel cards can save the day by helping you track and control employee expenditures, online purchases, fraud identification, or company fund abuse. Simultaneously, you can curate detailed spending reports.

Combined with potential fuel savings, these abilities keep employees accountable on the field. A driver ID is associated with every transaction that informs you who spends how much and where. Apart from establishing transparency, you can set spending limits based on the product, location, and dollar amount.

Fuel cards can even be incorporated into bookkeeping, thanks to the automatic capturing of financial activity to back-end tracking systems. This further streamlines back-office jobs and preserves the integrity of financial records.

4. More than Just Saving Fuel

The benefits of GPS go above and beyond fuel savings. It provides transparency, accountability, and efficiency powered by tech-forward features for your business. Before you even realize it, your company and its bottom line will start growing.

Location Tracking, Trips, Geofences and Alerts

Just imagine for a second that you can check and determine the entire fleet’s location from your smartphone! The deeper you dig, the more features you will unearth, including the following.

• Speed and direction of a given vehicle.
• Drivers closest to a specific location.
• The current address of a piece of equipment or vehicle.
• Time since the last GPS report issued.

You will also receive location updates every minute after a fleet vehicle starts moving. The notifications will pop up every hour when the vehicle’s engine is turned off. The equipment tracking devices will report battery usage every ten minutes when powered on and moving. There will also be an intuitive map for you to use, which will provide fleet updates about proximate traffic conditions to inform you whether the drivers are moving or stuck in traffic.

Driver Performance Reports

You can optimize business performance by holding your drivers accountable to ethical company compliance and high driving standards. Driver reports aggregate essential data to help you understand which employees on the fleet drive the brand mission forward and which ones need to work on improving their abilities.

• Daily detailed trip segments for every driver.
• A daily driving history for every driver, with animated route replays.
• The ability to check street-level details for further insight into various events or behavior.
• A review of all alerts, stops, and other key driving events.

Fleet managers can ensure their drivers operate as safely as possible with telematics. Reporting features of this technology delivers daily performance scores for every driver, summaries of safe driving behaviors, and summaries of idling and stops. The same system allows managers to authorize the hours during which the fleet vehicles will be in use and investigate the details of use outside of predetermined hours.

See the Bigger Picture

When you have access to real-time data, comprehensive reports, and sophisticated tracking capabilities, think about how advanced your business and its operations will become! GPS improves the overall performance of the fleet --- from vehicle maintenance to driver performance & accountability. The resulting ROI goes far beyond fuel savings and benefits every aspect of a fleet-based business.

Vyncs is a telematics brand that has helped numerous fleet businesses increase their return on investment. The Fleet 4G+ is a device that Vyncs has fabricated for fleet owners operating vehicles to fulfill their organizational objectives. The device allows businesses to add numerous vehicles to their accounts. This account provides access to the fleet dashboard, gives street addresses on the trip table, provides downloadable data in an excel-friendly format, facilitates fuel cost tracking, helps create custom maintenance tasks, and a lot more.

Visit our website to find out what we have in store for you and harness the power of connected vehicle systems for your business.

Reducing fuel expenses is often a top priority for fleet managers, and fuel cards, combined with a telematics fleet tracker device, can make that easier to achieve. Fleets using fuel cards and connected vehicle tech can track spending and driver behavior. The card facilitates purchase profile analysis, provides real-time alerts, and allows report creation. In the end, these tools let fleet managers identify opportunities to make measurable and targeted improvements for reducing fuel costs.

A Short Guide to Fuel Cards

Fuel cards work like debit cards, as you can use them to pay for fuel. Fuel cards accumulate data fleet managers can use to keep tabs on fuel usage, location, etc. Based on the type of car, drivers may have to include a driver number, unit, or vehicle mileage to get authorized to pump gas. Companies specializing in payment processing cards or oil brands often use fuel cards.

• Fleet cards - Created specifically for commercial vehicle use.
• Branded cards - Issued by specific fuel companies.
• Universal cards - These are akin to credit cards. They include customized controls and reporting.

Every variant has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, businesses will benefit from various card offers. You can use a fuel card at any of the participating locations across the nation.

The perks of using fuel cards for fleet businesses are many and varied. As the cost of gas ebbs and flows, fleet managers must track fuel consumption to look for redundancies and number irregularities. Fuel cards can analyze data trends, track employee spending, and make reporting easier. Business owners can set up alerts to prevent the cards from being misused and eliminate fraudulent activity.

Fuel cards can also help save time. Tracking and reporting features of fuel cards streamline management duties and can cut down lengthy reimbursement processes. Simultaneously, these cards can reduce paperwork. Furthermore, drivers can use them anywhere without worrying about finding a specific gas station brand.

Something to Remember

When business owners first consider issuing fuel cards to drivers, the primary factor they think about is the amount of fuel purchased every month. If a fleet uses 1,000 gallons of gas per month, you can use fuel cards to enjoy rebates. Fleets that don’t use that much gas will benefit from credit cards more than fuel cards.

The Advantages of Fuel Cards

There are several benefits for you to reap, starting from discounted gas prices to detailed expense reports. Here is a list of some of these advantages.

Most of the gas stations spread throughout the country accept fuel cards. It gives truck drivers a convenient way to purchase the fuel they need when they need it. You will feel confident knowing that the drivers can buy gas with the card whenever it is most convenient.

Are you familiar with the fact that fuel purchase is the highest expense in the entire fleet industry after vehicle maintenance? A few fleet cards available these

days offer additional savings at gas pumps that can lower overall fuel costs.

Nothing is as bad as arguing about fraudulent charges with the creditor. Fortunately, fuel cards for fleet businesses prevent unauthorized purchases. Drivers only need to input their ID or PIN before they can start fueling up the vehicle. Fuel cards can also make it easier for business owners to pinpoint and stop potential fraudulent charges before they turn into legal problems.

Replace chaos with order in your record-keeping system with a fleet fuel card. It is precisely what you need if you don’t want to deal with the headache of gathering receipts and figuring out how much your drivers spend on fuel every month. You only need to log in to your account and go through every transaction detail, including the amount of gas spent and other info. Users can also configure it to synchronize automatically with the accounting and bookkeeping system. Such in-depth reporting can deliver a level of transparency that saves time, money, and frustration while simplifying things for you to monitor your organizational fuel expenses.

Finally, fleet fuel cards can give companies more control over how much drivers spend at the gas station. You can enforce limitations on the quantity of fuel drivers will be able to purchase when on the road. Fuel cards also facilitate setting other parameters. When you can control all these aspects, you can manage the fleet’s overall fuel expenses better than before.

Fuel Card Features to Consider

You would not buy a gps tracker for multiple vehicles without researching your options to separate the best from the rest. The same goes for fuel cards. Here is a list of the features you should look for.

It is of the utmost importance that you know where you can use your fuel card in advance. If the card limits purchases to specific locations, will your drivers be able to access those areas easily? Fleets may also have different types of vehicles running on various fuel sources, such as electricity or diesel. Naturally, the fuel card of your choice has to account for this.

Fleet managers and drivers must stay informed with mobile alerts. They should also have online access to their spending accounts. They must receive alerts about over-tank purchases and other exceptions, such as the location of the nearest fueling station, a view of their spending history, and more.

Business owners can monitor for potential fraud by setting up alerts. For instance, they will know as soon as a driver attempts to exceed their fueling limit. The system will also catch irregularities in the odometer readings entered. Fuel cards can be set up in such a way that the drivers will not be able to avoid entering their unique ID numbers while purchasing fuel. This strategy prevents unauthorized individuals from using the card.

Driver support ensures that a driver spends more time on the road and less time troubleshooting the problems arising with their fuel cards. Every driver should have the contact data handy if it has a driver support line. If a driver visits a pump and forgets their ID card or their card gets declined, they can get the support they need to complete the purchase.

Many fuel cards fabricated for fleet businesses can capture fuel data, such as the price per gallon, driver ID, odometer readings, and fueling location for every purchase. These things allow fleet managers to analyze fuel spending and identify improvement opportunities.

The presence of fuel financial data in one digital dashboard minimizes the time spent on accounting administration by reducing or eliminating the need for hard-copy fuel receipts. Reading odometer entries at the pump can help you maintain an accurate log of how much fuel the vehicles use. Financial tracking also simplifies expense monitoring, viewing trends, and generating reports.

An Essential Tool to Stay Organized

Fuel cards are valuable tools, particularly for fleet business owners. It helps to stay organized, track spending, and improve driver efficiency. Various fuel cards are available these days, and each offers an exclusive set of features. When you explore fuel card options, prioritize the requirements of your fleet and everything you are looking for in terms of fuel management.

Even connected car solutions can contribute to fuel management. Vyncs, for instance, can tell you how much fuel you have left in each vehicle of your fleet. Of course, you will enjoy this feature only if the automobile reports the relevant data through the OBDII port. This comes in handy for detecting fuel theft, for example. When the driver fills up the gas tank, Vyncs keeps a tab on that. Vyncs also tracks fuel cost - a feature available only to our fleet users. With it, you get personalized fuel-saving tips.

Vyncs even correlates fuel consumption with how drivers control the vehicles and report the aspects of their driving contributing towards increased fuel consumption. If used in tandem with fuel cards, businesses utilizing fleet vehicles can save significantly large sums of money.

Opinions about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it will change the world differ from one person to another. Proponents have great expectations from it, and they sing praises in the name of its capabilities. AI usually deals with the problem of simulating cognitive intelligence in computing systems and its applications. While it existed as an esoteric research field from the days of Alan Turing, it gained considerable attention in the recent past because of some of the impressive applications that resulted from the massive amount of data we have started collecting and analyzing using advanced machine learning algorithms.

The disrupting power of Artificial Intelligence has been felt by numerous industries and businesses. Fleet management is no different, of course. The ever-growing need to prioritize driver safety without compromising cost-efficiency has fuelled the adoption of smart fleet management systems and devices, such as a GPS fleet tracker.

The average fleet driver relies heavily on telematics solutions and smartphones Previously, fleet managers and drivers had to deal with the hassle of determining routes on paper maps and listening to radio broadcasts to gauge traffic conditions. Today, scalable routing algorithms work autonomously in conjunction with predictive vehicle performance models and massive amount of traffic data analytics to present you with the optimal route in real-time. Moreover, OBD-II trackers and traffic applications are combining AI algorithms and GPS technology for personalizing the user experience and making the journey easier.

Fleets have much to gain from powerful systems bolstered by Artificial Intelligence that can take care of everything from recommending routes to analyzing on-road risk management data and even training drivers to do their jobs safely. Where earlier technologies failed, AI succeeded in delivering accuracy, convenience, efficiency, and ease of operation, since it simplifies our lives.

A Basic Explanation of AI-based Fleet Management

Artificial Intelligence fleet management involves leveraging AI-based technology to oversee fleet operations. In a world that is changing constantly, AI streamlines the work of fleet managers by eliminating human error from all processes.

Recommendations from AI-powered solutions ensure fleet drivers, managers, and mechanics make better decisions that improve long-term fleet performance. It works as assistive tech to ensure drivers retain autonomy during each transport cycle. Here are some of the aspects of fleet management AI can optimize.

1)Fleet Analytics in Real-Time

Data collection is a mission-critical element in every operational process. After all, without conducting data analysis, it will not be possible for fleet managers to make informed decisions. Fleet managers can prioritize opportunities and risks when they have access to historical insights or data points to analyze in real time. Then, they can determine the best course of action to solve potentially problematic situations.

AI systems can accumulate data for predictive analytics, including information on traffic and road conditions, real-time weather, environmental hazards, and mechanical faults. You can use this data to predict incoming risks and make better routes, schedules, maintenance deliveries, and dispatch arrangements to improve your business activities and outcomes.

2)Decisions Regarding Repair and Maintenance

Expecting vehicles to operate entirely without human intervention may still seem somewhat futuristic. However, the feature of vehicular autonomy has been around longer than you probably know. Various household names among automobile brands have joined the race to build autonomous vehicles for a radically changing world of consumers. The history of autonomous vehicles is colorful and deserves attention. You can learn about it here.

Now, back to the matter at hand. AI can predict potential faults before they even happen. For instance, a regular vehicle with a diagnostics system will signal an issue affecting the engine only after it occurs. However, AI-powered IoT systems, data analytics, and predictive maintenance can detect faults before they even happen. Based on a study by evidence to prove that the need for automotive and diesel technicians will increase by up to 5% by 2028. Furthermore, the American Trucking Association predicts that there will be a severe shortage of drivers by 2026 - 175,000 to be exact.

Once the older generation of technicians and drivers retire, there will be a need for younger, tech-savvy replacements. Then again, it will create a problem with onboarding and training. Artificial Intelligence can eliminate the complexities by capturing the specialized skills of these workers before they leave.

This feature is particularly great for technicians who incorporate exclusive strategies to carry out their tasks. Artificial Intelligence can also suggest the most qualified drivers suitable for fulfilling the company's bottom line from a pool of hundreds and thousands of applicants, reducing recruiter strain.

Integrating Artificial Intelligence with Fleet Management

Devices or software programs empowered by AI are “sophisticated" in every sense of the word, as they are made of multiple applications and devices, such as predictive data analysis & machine learning systems, IoT, sensors & HD cameras, communication & display systems, and WiFi.

You have to know about the purpose served by every component before understanding how all of them come together to make fleet management a breeze.

1.IoT: The Internet of Things is now a household topic of discussion that refers to a network of sensors and actuators. They collect data from the environment continuously. In the field of fleet management, IoT captures adequate data for analysis. Simultaneously, it promotes seamless information sharing between all stakeholders in the supply chain, including manufacturers and retailers.

• Wireless communication (4G, Bluetooth, WiFi) - to convey relevant information
• GPS - for real-time location tracking
• Onboard Diagnostics - OBDII scanners for self-diagnostics and reporting

2.Machine learning: ML allows fleets to learn from data collected over time and make managed adjustments based on the same. It results in the creation of smart systems in which Artificial Intelligence can learn the ability to make decisions that further enable more effective handling of practical situations.

3.HD cameras: Cameras allow fleet managers to capture and analyze video data they can access at any time to get a better view of driver behavior, hazards, or road conditions. An AI-powered system can perform the tasks mentioned below when connected to these components.

• Collecting road data accurately and transmitting the same to other devices
• Transferring information across every arm of the supply chain
• Analyzing data in real-time and educating the driver regarding the best course of action for any situation
• Detecting drowsy or distracted driving behaviors in drivers because they may cause an accident
• Capturing video footage of accidents from various external angles of the vehicle
• Conducting self-diagnostics and recommending solutions through predictive maintenance

Everything mentioned above is significant because they create a future for fleet management where human error becomes non-existent in various aspects of the transport cycle. Once implemented, you may get better results and cost savings.

AI will Dictate the Future of Fleet Management

Right now, the automotive industry faces several problems affecting profitability and fleet activities. Artificial Intelligence and telematics devices like a GPS fleet tracker can solve these issues and build a better future for businesses leveraging vehicle fleets if properly applied.

Some of these problems include,

Prioritizing risks and generating efficiency

• Risky driving behaviors leading to accidents
• Collecting data and analyzing it
• Risks on the road
• Cost containment
• Compliance

Other than risky behaviors, such as drowsy and distracted driving, fleet managers suggest drivers watch out for a few signs. Here are some of them,

• Constant blinking
• Yawning
• Missing exits or turns
• Using the phone
• Drifting out of the lane
• Slower reaction times

Normally, managers depend on their drivers to avoid these signs as they have no way of knowing whether a driver has been texting while driving or dozing off at the wheel. However, you can train AI systems to detect missed exits, head turns, blinking frequencies, yawning, and other signs of risky behavior. Then, you can broadcast these signals to fleet managers in real-time to let them take corrective measures.

Changes in road conditions present challenges for managers because they are difficult to detect without the right tools. These conditions pose risks, evident from the number of deaths they cause every year - 42,000! Predictive technology powered by Artificial Intelligence can reduce the risks associated with this issue by studying and charting routes. Simultaneously, it will draw from data gathered by other vehicles. AI can even be trained to make smart predictions about the weather and detect environmental changes, such as fog before a driver reaches that area.

What AI has in Store for Fleet Management

The future of businesses utilizing fleet vehicles looks more promising than ever because of the exciting applications of Artificial Intelligence in fleet management. Operational costs, unpredictable road conditions, and driver retention problems would become obsolete once fleets move to AI-powered devices and software. Stakeholders can benefit from the reliability and efficiency of this technology due to the reduction in accidents, costs, driver turnover, and other problems that may reflect on fleet service pricing. It can also ensure that other commuters on the road remain safe.

Vyncs is here to rethink and reshape mobility. Whether it is about location tracking, driver safety monitoring, or vehicle health reports, our connected car solutions use powerful onboard and in-cloud distributed data management and analytics platforms to access vehicle sensor data and provide valuable intelligence. We wish to roll out AI sooner rather than later, and when we do, we shall change the experience of fleet management for our customers beyond their comprehension.

Global car sales have dropped significantly since 2019 due to economic uncertainties and the supply chain crisis. However, one sector is growing consistently - electric vehicles (EVs). One study conducted by Meticulous Research claims that the EV market will continue to grow at a CAGR of 33.6%, citing a noteworthy shift to electronic automobiles in both Light Commercial Vehicles and Heavy Commercial Vehicles. Fleet electrification, augmented by a GPS fleet tracker, has a crucial role in driving the market of electric vehicles.

According to McKinsey, this growth in fleet electrification is the result of incentives, such as restrictive carbon emission regulations, subsidies from the government to reduce the EV purchase price, more investments in charging infrastructure, etc. Apart from these, other projects will make EVs occupy 10% to 15% of all fleet vehicles running on the roads of the USA by 2030.

Then again, the same obstacles impeding EV consumer adoption prevent fleet operators from ensuring reliability and operating optimally. In many cases, fleets have to work under efficiency and time-related constraints.

Route Optimization to Decrease EV Range

One of the most significant barriers preventing EV adoption is the distance they can cover after one recharge cycle. “Range anxiety" is the term used by experts to describe the problem. It is concerning for fleet operators as their vehicles remain on the road constantly, moving from one place to another to deliver goods and services. Fleet vehicles rack up higher daily mileage than the average consumer car. An unscheduled stop will inevitably lead to expensive delays, as it takes almost 20 to 30 minutes to charge a vehicle. Such situations are unacceptable to fleet managers.

Fortunately, a connected vehicle solution can provide relevant data to fleet operators that they can use to plan the daily routes of their vehicles while considering static factors, such as the distance and order of stops, and dynamic aspects, such as road hazards, traffic conditions, and inclement weather. When it comes to EVs, connected vehicle systems can use EV intelligence to gather info from historical data and predict battery “dead zones" dynamically along the route. Once this data is available, an intelligent routing algorithm can offer battery-charging recommendations considering factors, such as availability & charge point types along the route and wait times when the vehicle should be close to the recommended charge point, etc. It optimizes the cost and time per charge, apart from the routes. These factors also have mission-critical roles in choosing the appropriate charging partners or deciding to launch a self-owned-and-operated charge point network. Fleet managers should be able to alert drivers and alter the route to a new optimum to handle unexpected delays that deplete the battery quickly.

The Charging Infrastructure

Another matter of concern is the availability of charging points. One report from Exro states that the public charging infrastructure is the most profound challenge blocking consumers from adopting EVs, primarily emphasizing on charging point accessibility.

Things are much more problematic for fleets because they have to complete deliveries reliably and punctually. Therefore, fleet managers should consider supplementing their onsite charging infrastructure with extra charging options. They have several ways to do so, including depot roaming via partner sites, setting up dedicated sites along the road network, and entering into dedicated agreements with the charging point operators.

The issue of charging is complicated, and it has questions that need answering for every deal or site, around-site design, the perfect mix of charging equipment, which charging provider to work with, power grid sufficiency, etc.

EV intelligence and EV data can answer most of these questions. The former, with a destination/origin matrix of the fleet’s routes, can pinpoint relevant low-battery zones and correlate them with the grid. It can also point to optimal locations to set up charging sites. The latter, on the other hand, informs fleet operators about how they utilize fleet vehicles, the distance covered, routes, and charging characteristics. When put together, these data points can help fleets create a strategy to roll out electric vehicles while maximizing ROI.

Replacement for Fuel Cards

If business owners electrify the vehicles used by employees, they have to answer the question of charging reimbursements. Conventionally, ICEs utilized fuel cards. As a result, the company had the bills handed to it. Charging EVs comes with an entirely new set of challenges. Charge cards will be partially effective, but even then, they limit the driver to specific charging providers, and this situation contributes to range anxiety.

There is also the matter of calculating the cost of charging the vehicle at an employee’s house. This point requires as much consideration as everything else. By utilizing EV data, companies can determine how much they must compensate an employee for at-home charging. Fuel cards are losing relevance with every passing day, especially with a GPS fleet tracker empowered by connected car technology that makes charge reimbursement transparent to employees.

EVs and Telematics - A Game-Changing Combination for Fleet Operations

More and more people are embracing electric vehicles - a move spearheaded by fleet electrification. Fleets can start enjoying cost benefits immediately after replacing ICEs with EVs in the form of government incentives, such as tax rebates and subsidies on the purchase price. After buying the vehicles, fleets can keep reaping operational cost advantages by using EV data to optimize routing, assess suitability, manage EV charge reimbursements, plan battery-charging infrastructure, and more.

Now, what role does a telematics brand like Vyncs have to play here? Creating a sustainable fleet strategy is not going to be child’s play, especially if the business owner has mandates to handle. However, it is achievable with an appropriate plan in place. If you can pull it off, the results will be highly rewarding.

It is precisely where we can help you. We are committed not only to help our fleet customers run their businesses, but also encourage and aid them in the sustainability journey by unearthing insights from real-world data to reduce carbon emissions and expenses without affecting operational efficiency.

Vyncs is a full-service connected car solution that aims to join the EV revolution. We utilize 4G wireless networks to transmit your vehicle’s data to your account, accessible through your computer or Android/iOS smartphone.

When winter approaches with all its coldness and bleakness, it becomes important for fleet operators to take appropriate protective measures for their operations. It will be some time for the days to get warmer, even after the holiday season ends depending on where you are. To stay safe on the roads this winter, consider using a telematics solution powered by a fleet vehicle tracker and check out the guidelines explained below.

Winter Driving Safety Tips for Fleet Vehicles

1. Prepare for Every Situation:

You should start by inspecting your equipment. Make sure you have what you need before starting the journey. Prepare for every possible situation by creating a kit containing the following items.

• Ice Scraper and De-icer – Needless to say, you need these to remove snow and ice from the front and rear windscreens before you set off.
• Shovel and a Bag of Salt or Sand – This may come in handy in case you get stuck somewhere.
• Jump Cables – You may need this if your truck or someone else’s will not start.
• Flashlight - You can use it if you find yourself stuck on a deserted part of a road at night. The flashlight will also work as a signaling device on foggy or stormy days.
• High-visibility Jacket - As the name suggests, it increases visibility. In case you are stuck somewhere on the road, put it on for your own safety and let rescuers or roadside assistance providers know where you are.
• Blankets and Clothes - It always pays to carry extra clothes and blankets, particularly during the winter. You can use those if you get stranded somewhere for fighting off hypothermia.
• Food and Water - You will need that if you find yourself stuck somewhere awaiting recovery or held up by traffic.
• Keep Half a Tank of Gas as Backup - A trip may take longer than expected, or you may need an alternative path.

2.Truck Inspections

You may have to alter your regular inspection schedules during the winter in order to make sure that your fleet vehicles are in top shape. Prioritize the following areas of your vehicles.

• Tires - Look for wear and tear. Also, check tire pressure and balance.
• Battery - Check the power source and charging system.
• Wipers - The blades should be free from ice and snow to work.
• Fluid levels - Keep the fluid levels optimal.
• Exhaust - The exhaust pipe should not have snow stuck inside.
• Defrosters - Make sure they are functioning properly.

Conducting paper-based walk-around inspections will be much more difficult in the cold. Instead, use connected vehicle solutions with mobile applications. They eliminate the risks of getting the paperwork wet. You will not have to worry about illegible handwriting or administrative support to input the data into a database.

3. Weather Updates

4. Be Careful while Driving

Sharp, sudden movements may cause you to lose control. Similarly, rough braking or hard acceleration will reduce tire traction. Vyncs can help you control many aspects of driving, including acceleration and deceleration. Keep the vehicle steady by maintaining a consistent speed. Remember to hit the brakes slowly. Keep a safe distance between you and the automobile in front so that you have enough braking distance in icy conditions. Researchers have evidence that over 17% of all vehicle accidents happen during the winter. Naturally, drivers must do the following.

• Take it Slow - Accidents occur when drivers travel too fast. Speeding is especially dangerous for truck drivers as these vehicles take more time to come to a halt than a car. Drivers should take the time needed to get accustomed to how a vehicle handles. In doing so, it will become relatively easier to drive it on snow-covered roads.
• Keep Extra Space - Increase the stopping distance to allow the others ahead of your time to react when driving in bad weather or poor road conditions. During such situations, one must increase the normal stopping distance by at least ten times. Don’t forget that a truck needs more time to come to a standstill than a smaller car. Folks tend to associate hazardous weather primarily with ice and snow, but elements like fog, rain, and sun glare can impact driver safety significantly too.

5. Use the Turn Signals

6. The Biggest Dangers

• Black Ice - When the temperature drops below zero, keep your eyes peeled for clues of black ice on the roads. It is a life-threatening condition and manifests in the form of a thin layer of transparent ice that makes the road surface look slightly wet. If you notice ice build-up on the antennae, mirror arms, and the top corners of the windshield, you can be sure about the presence of black ice on the road.
• Fog - When drivers encounter thick, heavy fog that limits visibility, ask them to use the dippers to slow down, even if they are comfortable with the speed. Tell them to use the demisters and wipers to keep the windscreen clean.
• Bridges - Bridges and other elevated structures freeze first. Usually, they don’t get treated with sand or salt to melt the ice and snow, either. Fleet drivers should approach these areas carefully to avoid losing control by spinning out.

7. Set up Winter Tires

Safe winter driving does not start only with a fleet vehicle tracker but also with a set of winter tires. Visit NHTSA if you wish to review safety ratings first. Road conditions tend to change within moments during the winter months, and having these tires is the first step to being safe and prepared. Make sure that you replace existing winter tires once the tread depth reaches 4/32". Brand new tires have a tread depth of 12/32". Practicing proper tire etiquette is also crucial. Using winter tires during the warmer months will wear them down rapidly.

8. Use Tire Chains

Tire chains have been around for some time as they are an old and proven method for improving traction on icy roads. These chains have a simple working principle - the roughness factor increases friction dramatically and delivers traction to the vehicle. Just remember that every state in the USA has different tire chain laws in place. Specific highways may even utilize more precise norms, but such instances are few and far between. These laws prevent drivers from damaging the road because the chain can dig into the surface once the protective layer of ice and snow is gone. This situation ruins the tires too.

9. Inspect the Batteries

Batteries have to work harder than usual in the winter to get the engine running. Low temperatures increase engine oil viscosity, which reduces movement speed. As a result, the amount of power needed by the battery to jump-start important processes increases. If you don’t pay attention to it, you may end up with a vehicle that does not start. Cold temperatures also affect the chemical reaction taking place inside the battery when you turn on the ignition. Fortunately, there are ways to counter this problem.

• Power it down - Indeed, at times, the driver is the only one to blame for winter battery drainage. Remind your drivers to turn off the cabin lights and headlights properly at the end of a day’s work.
• Loose cables or corrosion - The battery terminals can get corroded with time, which, in turn, would affect the connection between the cell and cable. Check the terminals for signs of rust or cracks and pull the cables to see if they are tight.

10. The Cooling System

Checking the cooling systems of fleet vehicles when it is snowing outside may seem strange. However, these systems keep the engines operating optimally within the appropriate temperature range throughout the year. If you choose the wrong coolant, it may freeze and cause maintenance issues. Therefore, pick a temperature-appropriate product.

Keeping Vehicles and Drivers Safe

Well, there you have it - an inclusive list of winter driving safety tips for fleet vehicles and drivers. If you follow these guidelines, you can continue your business unhindered in the winter without worrying about mishaps.

Connected car technologies can also come to the rescue of fleet drivers and vehicles when winter commuting becomes almost impossible. For instance, telematics devices can tell you where your drivers and vehicles are during a severe winter storm. If they get caught up, you can relay the information to customers waiting for their deliveries.

Connected vehicle devices collect valuable data about driver behavior, including speeding, aggressive braking, sharp cornering, etc. This information can tell you which drivers follow safety protocols and help you intervene and prevent risky behavior before anything untoward happens.

Vyncs is the market-leading connected vehicle solution available at no monthly fee, no contract, a thirty-day money-back guarantee, and free-of-charge services for a year! Whether you need real-time GPS location & tracking, driver safety, vehicle health inspection, fuel management, heavy-duty vehicle support, fleet management support, or tax benefits, we can deliver.

Fleet insurance happens to be one of the most effective options for insuring several vehicles under one policy. Business owners can insure multiple vehicles efficiently and in a tailored way with fleet insurance. Simultaneously, they can eliminate the dependence on individual policies. This particular policy variant is convenient for organizations operating a fleet as it,

• Decreases the number of policies to track, simplifying the tasks of the administrative staff
• Eases the chore of adding or removing vehicles to the insurance policy resulting from business scaling
• Makes adding drivers to the insurance policy simpler because they are consigned
• Lets businesses provide insurance coverage to all drivers of all vehicles or delegate specific fleet vehicles to specific drivers

Researchers from the NIOHS say that on-the-job collisions forced employers to spend $39 billion in the USA in 2019. To avoid such situations, having an all-inclusive fleet insurance policy, along with a fleet vehicle GPS tracker, is mandatory.

Things Covered by Insurance

According to Global Fleet, almost 8.1 million cars and trucks in the USA belong to the “fleet vehicle" category, with fleets occupying more than five automobiles. It amounts to around 3% of the total number of vehicles plying on the highways and byways of the nation. The presence of so many fleet vehicles and other types of automobiles on the road increases the possibility of collisions. Every driver should be covered under an insurance policy to ensure behind-the-wheel safety.

Below you will find the descriptions of the two primary components of commercial vehicle insurance coverage.

Automobile Liability

This insurance covers physical injuries and property damage to third parties involved in an accident. Therefore, if one of your drivers causes the collision, automobile liability will cover the medical bills of the other party and property reconstruction or provide full or partial replacement.

Automobile Physical Damage

It refers to damage done to the vehicle you own after a collision or other mishap. Usually, there is a choice between a basic package and something more inclusive that covers other damages.

Fleet Insurance Pocket Pinch

Determining the exact price of fleet insurance is challenging as there is no flat rate. However, a few factors can affect expenses. You will find a breakdown of those aspects below.

1. The Industry

There are a few industries very popular for exhibiting risky driving habits, such as taxi service providers, couriers, and personal drivers. They belong in this category because they have to adhere to strict time factors. These organizations get higher insurance premiums as the punctuality of their drivers dictates their performance.

2. The Vehicle Type

The vehicle you drive determines how much you must pay for insurance, just like conventional vehicle insurance. A few attributes affecting insurance costs include annual mileage, vehicle age, and the location the driver will take it to and park after use.

3. The Number of Vehicles

Generally, insurance costs go down if the number of vehicles in the fleet goes up. This adds to the difficulties of small businesses with small fleets to reduce insurance premium costs effectively.

4. Old Collisions or Claim Histories

Whenever you get in touch with a new insurance provider, you will have to show your fleet insurance history. You also have to disclose any collisions that have occurred in the past or claims you may have submitted. The insurance cost may surge if these instances are significant.

5. The MVR

MVR is the abbreviated term for Motor Vehicle Records. Many fleet companies have to ensure their drivers update their MVR every few years. This record contains events, including collisions, moving violations, suspensions, criminal charges, etc. Insurance premiums may increase if the drivers have a history of rash on-road behaviors.

6. The Location

Fleet companies operating in cities with many drivers may have to pay more insurance costs. Operating in rural areas, on the other hand, is not as risky as there are not many drivers on the road.

7. Any Deductibles

It is assumable that a higher deductible will ensure the cost of insurance premiums remain low.

Guide to UBI

UBI or Usage-Based Insurance, also called pay-as-you-drive or telematics insurance, is calculated depending on the habits of the drivers. When you use a plug-and-play device, such as an ELD, OBD tracker, mobile app, or OEM, data is accumulated to determine the driving tendencies of the fleet. It includes data about rapid acceleration, rash driving, distracted driving, unsafe braking, and sharp turns. Insurance providers will go through this information and use it to ascertain the price of a policy that accounts for the fleet's operational safety. You will get the benefit of more savings if your drivers perform optimally behind the wheel.

Ways to Cut Fleet Insurance Costs

Even with various factors contributing to higher insurance rates, you can keep your expenses down and ensure that you don’t spend a penny more than necessary on fleet insurance. Here are a few effective ways to lower fleet insurance costs.

Drivers’ Room for Improvement

Consider using driver scoring systems to identify where drivers can improve. This strategy also helps you determine which drivers require advanced training. The presence of certificates and other similar documents achieved after completing training courses will help bolster the fleet manager’s commitment to safety and effective driving from the viewpoint of an insurance company.

Vehicle Telematics

The presence of connected car systems can help you accumulate data from fleet vehicles, which, in turn, will allow you to save money on insurance. Telematics devices and associated software programs gather info about driver safety that you can supply to the insurance provider. In doing so, you can prove that you operate your fleet safely and cut down expenses. This insurance calculation method is suitable for usage-based insurance.

Selecting a Provider of Fleet insurance

Insurer selection tends to be time-consuming, but it is highly personal. The experience is also customizable. So, it differs from one business to another.

Here is a list of how you can secure the perfect fleet insurance plan for your organization.

1. Familiarize yourself with the data and how you compare to facilitate the estimation process. When you benchmark yourself against other companies, you get an idea of where you stand in terms of operating safely. It will let you determine the kind of situations you should get insured for. From there, you should be able to create a checklist of everything you should look for and questions you must ask while exploring your options.
2. Prioritize insurers offering add-ons that may prove valuable to the fleet. Here are a few of those extras worth considering.
• Higher liability coverage
• More coverage for physical damage
• Coverage for roadside assistance
• Product insurance for the assets in transit
• Coverage for uninsured motorists
3. Look for insurance firms that reduce premiums on no claims or shift to UBI programs.
• Those who have never made an insurance claim earlier should look into insurance providers offering discounts for clean driving records.
• You should also ask insurers if they offer UBI policies so that you can use safe driving data to reduce insurance rates.

Fleet Insurance Policy Management

There is more to selecting a fleet insurance policy. After picking the one that you believe will be suitable for your business, you must pay attention to a few other aspects for as long as the policy lasts.

Insurance Payments

The insurance agent you work with should be able to create a plan that suits your needs in every way. Payment plans primarily depend on how much flexibility you require and the type of insurance you select. The policy length may also play a dictatorial role, but in most instances, the contract lasts one year. Payments take place through automatic bank withdrawals, money orders, cheques, or credit cards. Here are the three most common payment plans in the insurance industry.

• One Upfront Payment

This one is often the simplest choice when the insurance policy is transparent and does not allow any changes throughout the term. Paying upfront further ensures there will be no monthly service charge. As a result, you get to save some money every month.

• Three Equal Payments

Paying three times a year makes things more flexible. This option is suitable for you if you don’t want to deal with the stress or fees of monthly payments and don’t want to pay a one-year upfront fee, either.

• Monthly Payments

Normally, insurance providers charge a service fee or interest when their clients opt for monthly fleet insurance payments. Then again, monthly payments are suitable for businesses in need of flexibility or can’t invest in year-long policies at the beginning. If you have to cancel the policy, you will not have to wait to get the prorated amount for the rest of the contract refunded. The insurance provider will just cancel the remainder of the monthly payments.

Contract Renewals

When going through the particulars of the policy with the insurer, you will notice that it includes contract length info and when you must renew. Most policies renew annually, but you can change it to monthly or semi-annually if you think you will benefit from the extra flexibility.

Extra Coverage

You may require additional coverage you did not have in your policy originally as you continue your work throughout the year. There are several additives you can include in your policy. Nonetheless, here are a few fundamentals.

• Upset or collision coverage

If a vehicle in your fleet is in a crash with another and your driver causes it, collision coverage will pay for your repairs or replacement. In most commercial auto policies, you have to shell out money to cover the damages if it causes a collision.

• Comprehensive coverage

This additive protects the vehicle from damage resulting from natural disasters, such as an earthquake, a tornado, severe snowstorms, or hailstorms. It even provides coverage from theft and vandalism. Comprehensive coverage is an addition that deserves your attention, especially if you operate out of a geographic zone with intense weather conditions or a high crime rate.

• All perils coverage

As you can guess, all perils coverage is for all potential scenarios. It is akin to a combination of collision coverage and comprehensive coverage.

• Specified perils coverage

This additive should be your choice if you need coverage for something specific. For instance, if you need coverage for only the engine, it will fall under specified perils coverage.

How Vyncs Can Help

Vyncs is more than just a provider of a fleet vehicle GPS tracker. From location tracking to driver safety monitoring, we can give you insights on just about everything. Vyncs leverages powerful onboard and in-cloud distributed data management and analytics platforms to access vehicle sensor data and provide valuable intelligence.

As a leading connected car solution provider, we have experience analyzing vehicle sensor data and blending the same with contextual data to enhance the mobility experience.

However, that does not mean we can’t help you with savings. The fuel-related information that we provide, for instance, will help you reduce consumption and save money and fuel while preserving the environment. We can also help you utilize telematics data to cut down insurance costs and promote safe driving.

Human beings, especially teenagers, don’t like to be monitored. However, when parents do that responsibly and engage the kids through discussions about driver safety, they often respond positively. After all, when monitoring is not perceived as an infringement of privacy but rather a reflection of love and care, we usually enjoy and welcome that.

However, monitoring kids every time they drive is not easy. Parents have busy schedules. They do not always have the time to accompany their kids when they drive. The Vyncs GPS tracking device will come in handy during times like these. When you cannot ride along, it is definitely the next best thing to have because it remains connected not only to the car but also, optionally, to mobile devices. One could also make a case for having Vyncs onboard even when you are riding along with your teenage driver since it helps store and analyze driving data with little effort.

For instance, you can use it to create a “curfew time" window during which you will not entertain your teenage children’s demands or requests to drive for their safety. You will get a “curfew hour notification" on your phone, tablet, or PC if they attempt to turn on the engine during this time. They will have access to the keys and the privileges you provide them with before this curfew period.

In short, you can monitor your teenage kids and learn everything about their driving behavior.

The Perks of Observing

About thirteen years ago, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) studied the driving capabilities of eighty-four drivers in Washington D.C. aged between sixteen and seventeen using monitoring gadgets.

After running the analysis for twenty-four weeks, the researchers determined that the automobiles outfitted with these devices rolled down the streets differently. The drivers made fewer risky moves compared to the vehicles without the monitoring devices.

Another study in 2015 took place at the HumanFIRST Laboratory of the University of Minnesota. As expected, the conclusion was the same. Three hundred teens participated in this field test that lasted twelve months and studied the effects of real-time driving monitoring.

The conductors of the analysis even informed the parents before their kids stepped out of line for any reason. Like the previous test, teenagers who realized they were under the lens of their parents did not overspeed.

Unsupervised drivers drove faster than the acceptable limit between ten and fifteen percent of the driving period, whereas only one percent of the monitored drivers crossed the velocity threshold.

Now, it is time to delve into the benefits of using an OBD2 GPS tracker.

Onboard diagnostics devices gather data every second, analyze it, and transfer it to your cloud account via a wireless network. As you can probably guess, you will be able to keep your eyes digitally fixed on your teenage kid if you wanted to. You don't have to be physically present inside the automobile to do it.

Our device lets users create “Geofences" from their accounts. In a way, they can mark the area they want their teenage kids to stay within. If they exit this zone, you will know instantly. As opposed to other products, we can provide you with a much more powerful “Geofencing" system that lets you create polygonal shapes instead of just circular ones.

Polygonal “Geofences" allows the user to map out a location of interest instead of relying on a generalized area’s beacon to run everything. The polygonal “Geofence" variant ensures that you can acquire data only from a place that interests you. It is also more customizable than the centroid type.

What if you had a way to know when the driver accelerates rapidly and crosses the predetermined limit? It is a common occurrence among teenagers, followed by harsh braking. Speed is thrilling to them, and rough braking becomes their only recourse for avoiding mishaps. Both are detrimental to the car and unsafe.

With our device connected to the automobile, you will receive notifications of these instances in a matter of seconds. Our speeding histogram displays the amount of time the driver spends in a specific speed above the threshold for extended periods.

Once connected to the car, our device will accumulate code-based data associated with any problems accessible only via the OBDII port. You will be the first to know everything that happens to the automobile by using it. Armed with this information, you can take the right action at the appropriate moment.

Whether the driver of the vehicle is aware of the issue or not, you’ll be timely informed.

Product Selection

Whether you need the tracking device for yourself or your teenage kid, you will inevitably have to handle the product selection. You will want to make an informed decision here - something the following pointers can help you with.

Tracking devices built for the OBDII port, such as the one we offer, are easy to install. Most people don’t need professional support but feel free to do so if you believe you require it. Ease of installation is, undoubtedly, the first point of consideration.

The next thing you need to look into is whether the device will work with the car you own or not. While OBD and other similar connected car devices are compatible with various vehicles, there are never any guarantees regarding suitability.

Therefore, remember to check with the brand and manufacturer.

OBD systems, like car alarms, can drain a significant amount of battery. It is probably a concern to you as much as it is to many others. After installation, the battery can be under constant strain, no matter how insignificant. Eventually, it will wear out the power source.

Instead of choosing a product arbitrarily, you should go for one that has a “power conservation mode" or “sleep mode." The device will enter the power-saving phase as soon as the driver shuts off the engine, which will reduce the pressure exerted on the car battery. Usually, during this phase, the best trackers drain not more than 5mA.

When it comes to vehicle monitoring and security, every device will exhibit different abilities. Naturally, you must determine the types of information the device will monitor before you decide anything.

These machines, including the one we have created, can gauge driver behavior, overall vehicle health, speed, and several others as soon as you connect them to the OBDII port.

Wrapping it up

Teenagers display eagerness and urgency to earn their parents’ trust and confidence. After all, it is the only way they can secure more driving privileges than they already enjoy. They will go to any lengths to avoid losing the car keys for a while.

You can enforce the predetermined driving norms and reinforce the importance of developing appropriate driving habits by using Vyncs. This strategy is profoundly more effective than punishing the kid.

Let’s face it! While Mother Nature is incredibly generous in the way it provides, it can be unforgiving at times. This is especially true for fleets that are not well equipped with the data-oriented approach to inspection and replacement to reduce downtime. This is where using a GPS tracking device for effective fleet management becomes all the more necessary.

As the “cooling off" month (fall) starts rolling in, fleets that don’t take seasonal maintenance seriously can encounter a unique set of challenges. That’s why, it’s critical for fleet managers to ensure that no dead battery, for example, or faulty equipment has the potential to cause delays in effective operation.

Why Take Special Vehicle Care Before Fall and Winter?

With summer but a fading memory, and fall around the corner, it’s time to prepare vehicles for the upcoming winter months. Now that summer is gone, it's easy to overlook how heat took a toll on a vehicle’s performance. Engine overheating, issues in the sensors, & air conditioning system happen as a result of extreme humidity and heat in the environment.

Roads play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of your fleet. Fall and winter tend to bring unique road challenges for fleet drivers, which can be overcome with an effective fall vehicle maintenance checklist.

It’s no secret that winter breezes can create an outright roadway challenge in the form of ice, and snow. As cooler temperatures start to settle in, rain showers and storms are about to come our way. Due to a notable change in the weather, it becomes quite difficult to drive during winter. Not only do the dropping temperatures affect your vehicle’s health, but significant changes in road conditions also follow.

Extreme weather elements like snow and storms could result in flat tires, dying batteries (due to freezing temperatures during winter), and faulty heating systems.

Now the question is, “How do you ensure your fleet vehicles are prepared for driving in the upcoming season?" It’s as simple as servicing the essential parts of your vehicles ahead of time. Fleet vehicles that are not inspected and serviced on and ahead of time can lead to increased downtime and decreased fuel economy.

We have all heard myths about how we should maintain vehicles. Often, we don’t know for a fact if they are true or not. So, let’s debunk a few of those to start with.

Myth: There are lubricants and other additives in modern engine oil that help extend the oil’s lifetime. For vehicles that are 15-year-old or newer, it’s recommended to change oil at intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles.

Fact: Soot and other impurities are derived from the combustion process, which in turn, get absorbed by the engine oil, compromising the quality of the oil. The US Department of Energy suggests checking with the vehicle’s maintenance manual to determine the proper oil change frequency.

Fact: Brakes are the most essential safety tools on vehicles. Ensuring they’re in good working condition should be a priority for fleet managers. The recommended intervals for changing brake fluid are two- or three-year. However, it depends on the vehicle’s make and model, so it’s best to follow the car’s maintenance schedule.

Myth: Tires should be replaced once the tread depth reaches 4/32" during winter months, and 2-32" during summertime.

Fact: While most manufacturers, these days, and certain regulations in most states suggest that drivers should wait until tread depth reaches the above-mentioned levels, it causes a potential safety hazard for the driver and the occupants inside.

The Fall Vehicle Maintenance Checklist

• Is Your Vehicle’s Battery Working Fine?

Nothing is more effective than inspecting your vehicle’s battery before it’s too late. That way, you know that the cables and terminals are well-protected from harsh weather elements. Batteries tend to wear down over time, so, it makes sense to be proactive about replacing or repairing them.

• Worn Tires are Safety Hazards

Did you know that your vehicle’s mileage can be increased by 0.6% by keeping tires inflated to the optimal pressure? Without proper maintenance (like correct inflation pressure), tires are more likely to fail, causing drivers to lose traction on the toad. Worn tires can be dangerous, especially when the roads are wet. So, experts recommend measuring your tire’s pressure at least once a month. Also, before inflating the tires, it’s good to check the recommended tire pressure.

• Is the Heating System in Good Shape?

Before the temperatures start dropping, checking the heating system of your vehicle can make a world of difference. After sitting idle for months, the heating system of your vehicle may not function up to par. Without checking its efficiency before fall and winter, you are more likely to get stranded on the road.

• Headlights are Important Too

Headlights are vehicles’ first line of defense, especially at night and in adverse weather conditions. With time, exposure to the elements can cause them to become damaged. Dirt and debris can accumulate on the surface, causing the lenses to grow unclear, and lessen the intensity of light coming out. That’s why it’s important to regularly check the headlights and make sure the glasses are crystal clear.

Automate Fleet Vehicle Maintenance with GPS Tracking

Besides taking measures to keep your fleet’s costs under check, creating a safer experience for your fleet drivers is important too. With automation taking the world by storm, fleet managers are now in a better position to deal with complex vehicle maintenance tasks with greater accuracy.

In this era that we live in, the advent of digital fleet tracking is not only vital in managing a fleet of vehicles but it also helps create and stick to a regular vehicle maintenance schedule.

With GPS tracking technology, now fleets can keep tabs on the vehicles, streamline vehicle maintenance, optimize productivity, and more. from keeping records, setting up alerts regarding vehicle health & maintenance, tracking driver habits & giving them the necessary training, and creating schedules to tracking records in real-time, there’s virtually no limit as to how much you can gain.

Want to know how Vyncs can help? Do reach out to us for further information!

Today’s demanding business environment needs fleet managers to deal with the supply chain from a unique and cost-effective standpoint. At its core, the fleet manager’s job is to boost productivity, while decreasing operational costs. Managing transport logistics is a huge responsibility, and your decisions will always have an impact on your business’s bottom line.

Fleet vehicles are the backbone of the economy of a nation, supporting a diverse array of day-to-day functions. Fleet vehicle maintenance plays a crucial role in a successful operation of a business. Data suggests that operating costs in fleets had increased since 2018 after remaining flat for five years, largely because of higher fuel prices and vehicle maintenance costs (Automotive Fleet). Therefore, coming up with an updated plan by leveraging telematics technology (e.g. a GPS tracker for cars) to reduce costs has become more necessary than ever.

Powerful forces in the market continue to shape the commercial and transport industry. The economic upheaval following the COVID-19 crisis made it even more difficult for fleet managers to keep pace with the change. However, a crisis can pave the way for a host of opportunities to approach things differently and drive change.

This is where, fleet management technologies can play a vital role in reducing maintenance costs, and helping fleet managers to reduce downtime. After all, your business is unlikely to benefit when your fleet vehicles are down and off-the-road.

By 2024, approximately 83% of all new on- and off-road vehicles will have telematics embedded (PTOLEMUS Consulting Group). Forward-looking fleet managers that are keen to extend vehicle life and improve operations across their fleets are already realizing and reaping the potential benefits of telematics.

Fleet vehicle telematics is an emerging trend in the connected car ecosystem that enables managers to diagnose faults before they become critical. A more proactive way to manage vehicle maintenance relies on the insights collected from vehicles. The automotive industry is undergoing a digital transformation, allowing fleet managers to minimize vehicle downtime with data-driven maintenance and insights.

Vehicle preventative maintenance with the help of fleet telematics devices can mean a world of difference. Most fleet managers, if not all, consider fleet telematics solutions a way to track vehicle location. However, the concept behind telematics technology goes much beyond monitoring vehicle locations. It provides fleet managers with more information and control over their vehicles. In fact, telematics devices do a phenomenal job by providing a massive amount of vehicle performance data, including but not limited to:

• Vehicle health and performance fault codes
• Battery health alerts
• Vehicle emissions score
• Vehicle health scoring
• Maintenance alerts
• Manufacturer recall alerts

Knowing what is going on with your vehicles in real-time means you can reduce downtime and get them back on the road faster when they break down. Ignoring a “check engine" warning light induced by a faulty oxygen sensor can worsen the performance of the catalytic converter, which is usually 6 times more expensive (Official Magazine of the Automotive Service Association) and can result in poor fuel economy.

Real-time GPS tracking devices with the help of telematics can provide you with insights related to faults with your vehicle ahead of time. Thus, you will be able to carry out proactive maintenance and prevent further breakdowns even before they take place. It has been estimated that businesses can save between 12% and 18% through preventative maintenance over reactive maintenance (Webinar Care).

Using a telematics-based fleet maintenance plan can mean that you are better able to avoid the risks of sudden breakdowns. The lifespan of fleet vehicles depends on the maintenance and repairs being done on or ahead of time. Leveraging real-time GPS tracking technology to handle fleet maintenance enables you to schedule maintenance, create predictive & preventative maintenance programs, and encourage annual maintenance.

With rapid technology advancements, there are more opportunities to integrate telematics with vehicle maintenance can deliver greater efficiency, more accurate performance, and reduced costs, among others. Would you like to know how Vyncs can help you work out a plan to ensure better management? Contact us today to learn more.

At the beginning of the year, gasoline prices were at record highs, largely due to increased demand as the pandemic receded. However, after months of incessant high prices at the pump, there has been a sigh of relief in recent weeks.

The national average for a regular gallon of gasoline dropped to $3.95, according to data released on August 15, 2022, by the American Automobile Association.

While average gasoline prices have dropped below $4 per gallon in 9 states, it accounts for a significant monthly expense for many fleets and motorists in the USA. With global oil and gas prices being highly volatile, they are struggling to find ways to reduce costs and increase mileage.

In such a scenario, when fuel prices are extremely volatile, how to improve gas mileage and reduce costs? Since fuel is a major contributor to a fleet’s operational costs, it’s important for fleet managers to keep tabs on fuel consumption and take the right measures to make the most of it. Thus, they will be better able to keep operational costs down.

Since driving behavior plays an important role in reducing fuel consumption, it would make sense if you knew the key components of driving behavior in the first place. Learn about the factors influencing fuel use and costs.

Improved Fuel Economy Means Taking the Right Measures

Poor driving habits are not just detrimental to one’s safety, they can dig a hole in your pocket too. Even little changes in your driving and vehicle maintenance habits can help reduce costs. The introduction of vehicle tracking devices has made it easier for you to analyze the areas where changes are needed in terms of getting better mileage and reducing costs.

While fuel prices are volatile now, using GPS tracking technology is a sure-fire way to stretch your gas mileage and enjoy better fuel economy. Let’s delve into the tips provided by the American Automobile Association.

We cannot put enough stress on the importance of driving within the speed limit. On the highway, when speed increases over 50 mph, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy and gas mileage to drop off (AAA). Maintaining a steady speed throughout can help you save money on fuel. Make sure your fleet drivers are trained to abide by speed limits and understand the need to maintain reasonable speed both for safety and savings.

To ensure this, you may consider using real-time GPS tracking technology to keep track of aggressive driving habits including speeding, harsh braking, acceleration, tailgating, and more.

The US Department of Energy recommends against unnecessary idling as it can be a significant source of fuel waste, leaving residues on the engine that eventually damages its components, causing higher maintenance costs in the long run.

Vehicle manufacturers think that idling is unnecessary in modern vehicles. This is why they encourage eco-driving to increase fuel economy and reduce carbon footprints on the planet.

A significant boost in gas mileage comes from reducing weight in a vehicle. A lot of us don’t realize how harmful it is to accumulate stuff in the trunk of a vehicle. Not only does it hamper the vehicle’s aesthetics but also its efficiency. According to the data released by the US Department of Energy, de-cluttering 100 pounds can help improve a vehicle’s fuel economy by 2%.

Maintaining proper tire pressure, using the grade of motor oil recommended by the car’s manufacturer, changing air filters at regular intervals, and ensuring the engine is tuned properly - are crucial factors that contribute to a greater miles-per-gallon.

The harder the engine works, the more gas it consumes. Harsh braking makes the engine work harder, sucking up more gasoline in the process. While hard braking is required occasionally if a vehicle ahead stops abruptly, drivers that frequently demonstrate harsh braking behavior are at a greater risk of rear-end collisions.

Apart from hard braking increasing the likelihood of a traffic accident, excessive occurrences of it can cause brakes to overheat. This causes significant damage to the metal components or glazing brake pads.

Harsh braking on the highway or city roads can reduce fuel economy by 33%. GPS vehicle tracking technology gives you a comprehensive view of the driving styles of your drivers. Thus, fleet managers are in a better position to decide if their drivers need training. These systems help you monitor speed, idle times, harsh braking, fuel consumption, and more.

Increase Your Fleet Fuel Economy with Vyncs

Managing a fleet efficiently is not an easy feat. It takes a village to ensure smooth operation, curtail unnecessary fuel costs, and maintain safety across the fleet. Fortunately, GPS tracking technology provides businesses with an opportunity to increase their fleet fuel efficiency and reduce costs.

As the US gasoline price continues to remain volatile, fleet managers need to respond to such uncertainty by leveraging the power of telematics and actionable intelligence. That also means promoting fuel-efficient practices that help owners keep operational costs in control.

Ensuring better fuel economy lies at the heart of what Vyncs does for you. Contact us today, if you are interested in learning more about how Vyncs can help with reducing overall fuel expenditures by identifying the contributing factors and helping you take measures accordingly.

Approximately 1.6% of total fatalities in 2020 involve drowsy driving according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While drowsy driving is responsible for a substantial percentage of road traffic accidents in the US, it had not received as much attention as driving under the influence or drunk driving until recently. As a result, highway safety professionals are taking a comprehensive strategic approach to put an end to deaths caused due to drowsy driving.

What is Drowsy Driving?

While it may sound not-so-serious, the ramifications of this risky behavior should not be overlooked. Drowsy driving is a practice demonstrated mostly by drivers when they feel fatigued and find it difficult to stay alert at the wheel.

Fatigue is a state where mental alertness is compromised, and it arises from lack of adequate sleep. It involves cognitive impairment that indicates the time right before sleep occurs. Fatigue leads drivers to have less awareness of road hazards, slowing down the reaction times, and increasing the likelihood of a crash.

Driving while feeling sleepy, drowsy, or tired is a disturbingly common safety concern on US roadways. The phenomenon can be as deadly as Driving Under the Influence (DUI), with even milder and shorter-term sleep deprivation that can lead to driving impairment. Recent studies suggest that getting less than 5 hours of sleep causes the same level of impairment as drunk driving.

Understanding its Impact on Driving

Sleepiness (also known as drowsiness) is defined as the need to fall asleep, which is essentially the result of circadian rhythms, inherent in the human body. It consists of 24 hours biological patterns impacting a person’s fatigue level.

Research has confirmed the fact that neurobiologically based sleepiness leads to human error in various settings. Driving is no exception. When drivers are drowsy, sleepy, or fatigued, they tend to respond slower than usual and find it more difficult to concentrate on the surroundings. Fatigue is the result of prolonged wakefulness, variations in circadian rhythms, accumulated lack of sleep, sleep disorder, among others.

While sleepiness is an inevitable biological phenomenon, falling asleep at the wheel can have serious consequences. They might include but are not limited to impaired cognition & performance, fatal accidents & crashes, slower reaction times, erratic speed control, sloppy steering, and more.

An estimation of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety suggests that around 328,000 drowsy driving crashes occur every year. Apart from causing crashes, drowsy driving can take a significant toll on the nation’s economy. According to NHTSA, drowsy driving-related crashes that result in death or injury tend to cost $109 billion annually.

Who is at Greater Risk?

Young drivers, especially males are more likely to fall asleep while driving due to their lifestyle or behavioral choices. This may include staying up late, working long hours, or consuming alcohol.

Those with untreated sleep disorders do not get enough sleep at night, which causes them to stay tired during the day.

Drivers that do not get adequate sleep at night and drive in the early morning hours are more likely to be at greater risk than drivers who slept well the night before.

Drivers working in the night or rotational shifts have a hard time sleeping.

Business travelers that cross many time zones during a flight suffer from a lack of sleep. They tend to stay less alert while driving, increasing the chance of a major crash.

Warning Signs of Drowsy Driving

A study conducted by the Gyeonggi Research Institute (GRI) found that individual conditions such as sleep time are not the sole contributors to falling asleep at the wheel. Working hours seem to have a profound impact on drowsy driving. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggests being aware of the following warning signs to reduce potential risks:

• Yawning or rubbing the eyes
• Blinking frequently with heavy eyelids
• Drifting from the lane
• Feeling fatigued
• Missing exits
• Hitting a rumble strip

Generating Awareness Can Help Drive Change

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 83.6 million people get less than 7 hours of sleep every day. This leads to a shocking number of deaths (approximately 5,000) in drowsy driving-related crashes every year.

The modern values and views have caused our society to be a victim of a deadly problem: drowsy driving. Unfortunately, it is the most overlooked phenomenon, with more and more drivers driving without realizing the influence of sleep deprivation. Due to a combination of factors including but not limited to a lack of education and awareness, people are either unaware or downplay its impact on one’s ability to drive.

The most effective step in changing drowsy driving behavior is making sure drivers understand the risks, and countermeasures so they can make an informed decision about their behavior. Fatigue management programs, if implemented successfully by workplace managers can drive success in the long run.

Advancements in Automobile Technology

Today’s vehicles are designed to rely on significant computer processing capacity and digital sensors. The computer systems not only assist with the comfort and entertainment of the occupants but are also increasingly used to enable vehicles to carry out certain driving tasks without human intervention.

As technology advances with time, new vehicle functions are constantly developed by manufacturers that can collect a substantial amount of real-time data, and perform complex algorithms. An increasing number of driver-state monitoring systems are gaining momentum. These systems are successful in detecting impaired attention while driving (including drowsiness).

Fight the Good Fight: Banish Drowsy Driving with Vyncs

Reducing the odds of a crash requires a powerful combination of intelligence, automation, and connected data. That’s where Vyncs comes into the picture. After analyzing vehicle sensor data, Vyncs, a real-time GPS tracking device can provide actionable intelligence, which can further help drivers to be safer and more efficient on the roads.

For example, the Vyncs device has a 3-axes accelerometer, which can detect acceleration and decelerations along 3 axes. This allows one to detect unusual driving behavior. The Vyncs system also scores the drivers based on their quality of driving. That helps a parent or a fleet manager to identify emerging problems in driving behavior before those become the reason behind an accident.

By letting you monitor your drivers’ driving behavior, Vyncs empowers you to take action to prevent driving without falling asleep behind the wheel. Also, by reviewing driver safety reports generated by Vyncs, you can keep tabs on changes (if any) in their driving performance - and be proactive about it.

So, take your first step towards eliminating the risks of drowsy driving with Vyncs!

Summer is around the corner! For many Americans, it is the time for long road trips. However, with gasoline and diesel prices rising to levels not experienced in the United States before, the price of fuel has become a real financial concern for a growing number of Americans.

Whether or not fuel prices will stabilize in the near future, there has been a renewed interest among consumers in improving vehicle fuel economy. More than 172 billion gallons of fuel has been consumed by US vehicles in 2009 (Federal Highway Administration of the US Department of Transportation). Studies suggests that on-road fuel economy greatly suffers due to changes in driving style or vehicle maintenance.

Eco-Driving Effects on Fuel Consumption & Economy

While driving behavior is one of the most crucial factors influencing fuel use, its impact is often paid less attention to. Adopting ecological driving behavior can greatly reduce the amount of fuel used by vehicles. The variables used to demonstrate driving style include speed, acceleration, or deceleration, among others. The level of speed can affect fuel consumption, considering that each engine has an optimal range of speed value, at which it operates with optimal efficacy. Fuel consumption at a very low speed is higher due to increased heat loss, whereas at very high speeds; it increases further due to friction losses in the engine. On the other hand, fuel consumption is also higher when the vehicle is driven at a high speed.

Frequent deceleration may result in frequent acceleration. Thus, more fuel is used to increase kinetic energy and restore the vehicle’s speed. Moreover, during harsh acceleration, the engine operates at a higher speed, which again increases fuel consumption.

Idling is yet another contributing factor to fuel consumption. Motorists are, therefore, urged to switch off their vehicles’ engines if it is to remain stopped for more than half a minute. This is because the fuel required to start the engine is a lot less than that consumed if the engine was running.

Eco-Driving Best Practices

Revolutions Per Minute (RPM): Driving in the highest gear at the lowest RPM can make a difference. The lower the RPM, the lower the fuel consumption is due to friction.

Steady speed: Fuel consumption is higher during acceleration. Hence, it is beneficial to avoid frequent braking and accelerating and maintain a steady speed throughout.

Weight and air resistance: Both tend to increase the load on the engine, leading to higher fuel consumption. As a starter, clear up your car by removing all the stuff sitting idle in the trunk.

Idling: Modern vehicles’ engines are more efficient, and can perform well without the need for idling. Data shows that a compact sedan car with 2 litre engine size consumes 0.16 gallons per hour of fuel at idle without using accessories like air conditioners (the US Department of Energy). Therefore, it is more fuel-efficient to turn off the engine than leave it running.

Tire pressure: Low tire pressure increases the vehicle’s rolling resistance, which further translates into increased fuel consumption. So, get air and keep the tires at the recommended tire pressure.

Braking: Slowing down the vehicle with the use of an engine brake or the neutral gear instead of the actual brakes is a great practice. This is because no fuel is consumed when the engine brake is used in modern vehicles.

Speeding: Fuel consumption tends to increase at higher speeds. Therefore, drivers should always drive at or below the speed limit.

Leveraging Real-Time Vehicle Tracking Technology

Driver behavior is the most significant contributor to improving fuel economy of a vehicle. Speeding, idling, and inappropriate use of the accelerator & brake pedal - all contribute to inefficient fuel consumption. Improved fuel-efficient driving habits including not speeding, and not driving aggressively are among the most beneficial measures one can take to reduce costs.

Technologies such as a car GPS tracking device that help reduce fuel consumption and encourage responsible driving habits have massive potential. Today’s businesses and consumers increasingly rely on real-time vehicle tracking technology to keep track of the key fuel and safety performance variables. In fact, average fleet fuel economy improves up to 15% with the help of real-time vehicle tracking devices (the US Department of Energy).

Thanks to the Vyncs connected car tracking device, users can explore unique ways to improve driver performance and increase fuel economy by having access to a great variety of data. To ensure you get the most of your fuel, create an account on Vyncs today. Learn more about us here.

A fleet’s overall performance is highly dependent on vehicle efficiency. Data shows that on-road vehicles account for roughly 60% of total US oil consumption and over a quarter of the country’s Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.

According to the US Department of Energy, a conventional vehicle will suffer a 10% to 20% fuel economy loss in city driving compared to highway driving. For hybrids, fuel economy may decrease by 20% to 40% in city driving. Also, the United States Environmental Protection Agency identifies that a conventional truck (made between 1980 and 2001) consumes 0.80 gallons per hour of diesel fuel and emits 140 grams/hour of NOx and 8,200 grams/hour of CO2.

For fleet owners, vehicle costs and productivity are two key concerns. Top that with more frequent stops, increased idle times and fuel use, and additional miles driven, the challenges become harder to overcome.

Considering the hazardous road conditions on snow-covered highways during winter, safety is another crucial factor. This makes vehicle maintenance crucial as fleets take a beating during extreme weather conditions. In such a scenario, a GPS tracker for vehicles can come in handy. Not only do they help fleet owners track real-time vehicle data (such as location, miles driven, and more), but informed decisions can also be made based on the data, ensuring smooth operation across fleets.

Fuel Consumption During Engine Idling

Idling for prolonged periods causes large amounts of fuel to be wasted. Researchers at the Argonne National Laboratory have noted that if every vehicle in the USA idles for about 6 minutes every day, about 3 billion gallons of fuel are wasted annually (Argonne National Library). In fact, more than 10 seconds of idling wastes more fuel than starting up the engine.

There are different factors that may affect the idling fuel consumption rate including engine temperature, idling speed, ignition timing, and combustion efficiency, among others. The age of a vehicle may also have an impact on the idling fuel consumption rate.

Emissions from prolonged idling are an issue that needs a more systematic solution. Using an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) to get access to electricity while not driving is another method to expel idling in diesel engines.

Factors Affecting Fuel Economy

1. ✔ According to the US Department of Energy, hazardous driving conditions during winter can significantly reduce fuel economy for vehicles. This makes it especially harder for commercial fleets in certain regions of the States because fleets are responsible for more stops and longer idle times during the winter months.
2. ✔ Speeding, rapid acceleration, harsh braking and more can affect the gas mileage of a vehicle. Moreover, excessive idling can also cause fuel economy to be affected.
3. ✔ Carrying excessive weight also affects fuel economy.
4. ✔ Driving at a higher speed tends to increase aerodynamic drag, lowering the fuel economy of a vehicle.

Why Drivers Idle?

Idling behavior falls under two categories, including “idling for power", and “idling out of habit". Some drivers idle out of a belief that idling uses less fuel than stopping and restarting. Some believe that extra starts will wear out the battery soon. Reducing such idling can surely lead to reduced fuel consumption and emissions reductions.

Many long-haul sleeper trucks idle overnight to provide “hotel load"—heating, cooling, and electricity for drivers taking their mandated rest periods. Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory estimates that rest-period idling of long-haul sleeper trucks consumes up to 1 billion gallons of fuel annually at a cost of roughly $3 billion. The associated emissions consequences for CO2 are 10 million tons annually. Extended idling also occurs at loading docks and border crossings, where trucks must wait for prolonged periods in queues.

Introducing Real-Time GPS Tracking Technology

While drivers often leave their vehicles idling out of habit, the challenge is when fleet drivers idle because they need power while being stationary. In such scenarios, advising them against idling does not work. A real-time GPS tracking technology solution, therefore, is needed to keep track of idling patterns and come up with ways to reduce idling in a cost-effective way.

When you get a bird’s eye view of your fleet’s daily operation, you know how to reduce fuel costs (for example: by reducing excessive idling), increase productivity, and make the most of your business. So, if you are interested in increasing fleet visibility with the Vyncs connected car tracking device, get in touch with us today!

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), approximately 34.9 million people will hit the road on the Memorial Day Holiday weekend. Considering the recent surge in gas prices, as we head into the holiday weekend, vehicle owners must be wondering, "How to save money on fuel?"

There is good news for you! In fact, the rising fuel cost should not keep you from preparing for the much-needed trip you have been planning for long. With the latest connected car tracker technology, you can enjoy more saving on fuel cost than you could imagine.

We understand that there is nothing like the feeling of hitting the road with a full tank of gas, an open road, and plenty of adventures that await you out there. While you cannot do much about surging gas prices, you can still pay less at the pump, and ensure your vehicle gets the best possible fuel economy. Wondering, "How is it possible?" Well, you can do a few little things to make sure that your vehicle is in good shape for getting the optimal gas mileage. Also, a product like the Vyncs connected car tracking device can help you save a fortune on gas with its various tools to optimize fuel economy.

Vyncs comes with a tiny little 4G device that plugs into the OBD-II port of your vehicle. It transmits all sorts of vehicle performance (including fuel economy) data to your personal account over the wireless network, accessible from your Android/iOS and PC. So, if you are serious about reducing your fuel costs, Vyncs is there for you!

Why Should I Care About Fuel Economy And How?

Well, for most people this is a no-brainer. However, let us quickly review this question and get it over with. First of all, there is no denying that the recent spike in gasoline prices can take a toll on your travel budget. With gas prices likely to stay on the higher side for the near future, motorists are urged to evaluate their personal driving habits in an effort to reduce overall fuel consumption.

By taking simple steps, one can ensure better fuel economy that may include but are not limited to:

1. ✔ Consistently checking the vehicle’s tire pressure
2. ✔ Staying on top of routine maintenance
3. ✔ Avoiding hard breaking & excessive speeding
4. ✔ Reducing the amount of idling time

Tips On Saving Money On Gas With Vyncs Gps Tracker

Better Mileage At Your Fingertips: Leveraging Vyncs’s Fuel Fill-Up Feature

With gas prices reaching an all-time high, everyone seems to look for better ways to gain the upper hand. The use of real-time GPS tracking technology has become mainstream --- a unique, cost-effective way of reducing costs.

Filling up at the right time and at the right place can save you money on gas. Your vehicle is more likely to offer you the best mileage possible when you fill up the tank at the right time with the right kind of fuel. This, in turn, translates into better mileage for the long run. With Vyncs, since you can easily find out the gas tank level and the kind of gas mileage you got from the gas you purchased from a gas station, you are always in a better place when it comes to improving the overall fuel economy.

Also, the smart fuel-saving feature of Vyncs helps you keep track of the amount of fuel left in the vehicle and how you can optimize your gas mileage. Once you plug in the Vyncs device to your car’s OBD-II port, it will start sending driver performance data to your account. All the gas guzzling events such as rapid acceleration, harsh braking, and speeding are identified and presented to you so that you can cut down on fuel cost if you wanted to. If you are running a business fleet this is a life saver and of course a cost saver for the operations. With price for everything going up, isn’t it great to have something that brings the cost down? Vyncs identifies and reports the factors contributing to increased fuel consumption. That means you have a scope to take immediate actions to solve the issue right away.

Evaluate Nearby Gas Stations Through Vyncs

Saving on gas has never been easier. If you have a Vyncs device in your vehicle, you can find out nearby gas stations and compare their prices and previous performances. The device lets you keep tabs on the number of times you filled up your vehicle from different gas stations. That means you will be able to know which gas stations offer you the best deal possible.

Proactive Vehicle Maintenance Alerts

The importance of vehicle maintenance cannot be overstated. One cannot overlook this important aspect. While it might be tempting to want to avoid your valuable time at the service stations for oil-changes and tune-ups, neglected engines are more likely to make you spend more on gas. Getting ahead-of-time vehicle maintenance alerts or recall notices on your smartphone means you never miss out on getting your car maintenance done right and on time. When you have Vyncs car GPS tracker, in your car, it helps you to address and fix vehicle issues before they get bigger.

Another important thing to note is that fuel economy is not a constant. It changes over time depending upon the condition of the vehicle and how you drive it, among other things. Consider Table 1 which compares the fuel economy values computed by averaging the gas mileage values from a sample set of vehicles with the corresponding EPA fuel economy data.

As you can see from the table, real-world fuel economy data may vary. For example, for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan, the EPA gas mileage is 22 MPG whereas the average gas mileage from the sample pool of vehicles reported here is 24.29 MPG. So, it is important to stay informed about the current gas mileage you are getting from your vehicle and that’s where Vyncs can help.

Ready to Improve Gas Mileage and Increase Saving?

Whether you are concerned with saving money on gas or reducing your carbon footprint on the planet, reducing fuel consumption by using Vyncs is a win-win all round. The device helps you to keep track of the fuel level and recommends the best way to save fuel, hence reducing your total costs on gas. With built-in gas price & fuel level reporting, fuel purchase & cost tracking mechanisms, and effective fuel-saving tips, you will have the peace of mind and not spend a fortune on gas. Vyncs syncs your car with your life and makes it better. Learn more about Vyncs. Connect with us today!