With in-cab terminals, bonnet switches and panic buttons fitted to a quarter of its fleet, Ringtons will monitor improvements in driver behaviour, safety and vehicle maintenance checks.
Because Ringtons’ drivers are lone mobile workers, Isotrak has equipped the vehicles with panic buttons; the driver is able to press the button in an emergency to provide an immediate alert to head office. The office can notify the emergency services and provide an accurate vehicle location if necessary.
For HMRC accounting purposes, the system will also record vehicle personal use after 7pm when the driver should have returned home.
‘We did a lot of research before investing in the Isotrak system, which included meeting other Isotrak users such as Sainsbury’s and Allied Bakeries among others,’ said Stephen Killinger, operations manager at Ringtons.
‘Our initial trial proved we could reduce fuel usage by 25% through monitoring undesirable driving styles such as excessive engine idling and heavy braking. We were also able to record that our drivers are checking their vans regularly, which reduces maintenance costs. Also, the in-cab computers help to encourage smoother, more fuel-efficient driving and this improves road safety and reduces the opportunities for our drivers to be involved in accidents,' he added.