Why Monitoring Driver Behaviour Matters
When managing a fleet, ensuring driver safety and vehicle longevity is a top priority. Harsh driving behaviors—such as sudden acceleration, hard braking, and aggressive cornering—not only increase wear and tear on vehicles but also pose significant safety risks. With Fleet Track’s advanced GPS tracking and telematics solutions, fleet managers can actively monitor and reduce these risky driving habits.
The Impact of Harsh Driving
Unsafe driving can lead to:
✅ Higher accident risks – Aggressive driving increases the likelihood of collisions.
✅ Increased fuel consumption – Rapid acceleration and braking waste fuel.
✅ Excessive vehicle wear – Harsh driving puts extra strain on brakes, tires, and suspension.
✅ Higher maintenance costs – More frequent repairs due to excessive strain on vehicle components.
By tracking driving behaviour, businesses can improve safety, reduce costs, and enhance overall fleet efficiency.
How Fleet Track Monitors Harsh Driving
Fleet Track provides real-time insights into driver behavior, detecting and reporting harsh driving events based on predefined thresholds for acceleration, braking, and cornering. These thresholds are customized based on vehicle type to ensure accurate monitoring.
Recommended Harsh Driving Thresholds
To ensure accurate reporting, we have defined the following default values (measured in meters per second squared, m/s²) for different vehicle categories:
| Vehicle Type | Harsh Acceleration (m/s²) | Harsh Braking (m/s²) | Harsh Turning (m/s²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Vehicles (cars, vans, utes) | 3.5 | 3.8 – 4.0 | 3.5 – 4.0 |
| Medium Vehicles (small trucks, minibuses) | 3.0 | 3.3 – 3.5 | 3.0 – 3.2 |
| Heavy Vehicles (large trucks, buses) | 2.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 – 2.8 |
How These Values Were Determined
These values are based on international fleet safety standards and aligned with New Zealand road safety best practices. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) emphasizes safe driving techniques, particularly for heavy vehicles, where abrupt movements can be more dangerous due to size and weight.
Fleet Track’s harsh driving parameters are designed to:
✅ Reflect real-world driving conditions in New Zealand
✅ Promote safe driving principles set by NZTA
✅ Balance sensitivity to prevent false alerts while detecting risky behaviour
How Fleet Track Helps Improve Driver Safety
Fleet Track doesn’t just monitor behaviour—it helps prevent unsafe driving habits through:
🚦 Real-time alerts – Get notified instantly when a driver exceeds safe driving thresholds.
📊 Driver scoring & reports – Identify patterns and rank drivers based on safety performance.
📍 Geofencing & route monitoring – Ensure drivers stick to planned routes and avoid high-risk areas.
🔧 Preventative maintenance tracking – Reduce wear and tear by addressing poor driving habits early.
The Benefits of Monitoring Driver Behaviour
By actively monitoring and addressing harsh driving, Fleet Track customers experience:
✔️ Fewer accidents and insurance claims
✔️ Lower fuel and maintenance costs
✔️ Improved vehicle lifespan
✔️ Better driver accountability and training opportunities
Take Control of Fleet Safety with Fleet Track
Investing in driver behavior monitoring is one of the most effective ways to improve safety and efficiency. With Fleet Track’s telematics solutions, you get real-time insights and powerful reporting tools to ensure your fleet operates safely on New Zealand roads.
🔍 Want to see Fleet Track in action? Contact us today for a demo or consultation! 🚛📡
📞 0800 437 078
📧 info@fleettrack.nz
🌍 www.fleettrack.nz
